Maharashtra: Brahmin outfit protests NCP leader's remarks on rituals

Members of the Brahman Mahasangh on Thursday staged a protest outside NCPs office in Pune against party MLC Amol Mitkaris reported remarks allegedly ridiculing Hindu rituals in marriages at a speech in Sangli district of Maharashtra while the ruling coalition constituent sought to distance itself from the controversial commentsAs the members of the outfit started protesting against Mitkari outside the NCP office a group of party workers came face to face with them and police had to intervene to avoid a clashAnand Dave the key member of the outfit said Mitkari during his speech made objectionable remarks against the Hindu community and chanted some mantras in the wrong wayTo condemn the remarks we staged a protest outside the NCP office said DaveThe mantras recited by Mitkari in his speech are never used by priests while performing rituals during a marriage ceremony he saidIn Mumbai the NCP part of the Shiv Senaled MVA government sought to distance itself from its Mitkaris reported comments relating to kanya daan ritual followed during Hindu marriages which the BJP had objected toMaharashtra Minister and state NCP chief Jayant Patil expressed regret if anyones sentiment was hurt due to Mitkaris statements made during a rally held in the formers home turf Islampur in Sangli district on TuesdayThe BJP has accused Mitkari of ridiculing a particular community and also Hindu priests in the speech and charged Patil and another Maharashtra minister Dhananjay Munde with encouraging the MLCAccording to media reports while speaking during the rally organised as part of the NCPs outreach campaign Mitkari questioned the kanya daan ritual followed during marriages Patil and Munde were present on the occasionPatil told reporters in Kolhapur on Thursday that he had asked Mitkari to stop the speech after he made the reported commentsHis statements are personal It may be his opinion The Brahmin community has always cooperated with and welcomed us when we go to parts of the state the state NCP president saidHe added that the rally did not intend to hurt the sentiments of the communityIf Mitkaris comments have hurt the sentiment of the Brahmin community I think it was not our stand Hence I am feeling regret too It was not right to make such a statement he addedPatil also said Mitkari did not make mention of the community during his speechWe have affection towards the Brahmin communityIf anyones sentiment is hurt I need to express regret since the statement was made from my platform Patil saidHe added the NCP did not does not and will never intend to hurt the sentiments of the communityInteracting with reporters in Beed on Thursday Social Justice Minister Munde said that the NCP does not discriminate against people on the basis of caste or religionHis comments were his personalif anyones sentiment is hurt due to it then it is regrettable Munde addedThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever