Mumbai MP Shetty in legal woes as case registered for anti-Brahmin remarks

A police case has been registered against Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana (SSS) leader Raju Shetti for making alleged anti-Brahmin remarks during a poll rally in Kolhapur district. Election Commission of India officials, apart from issuing a notice to Shetti over the remarks, Saturday night approached Hatkanangale police station and lodged a complaint against the sitting Lok Sabha MP, a police official said Sunday.

Speaking at a rally Wednesday, Shetti purportedly said that while farmers' children join the Army and fight for the country, those of "Deshpande and Kulkarni's" (denoting Brahmins) shun the Army but preach others patriotism. The rally was held in Herle village in Hatkanangale.

The police official said a case has been registered against Shetti under section 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) of the Indian Penal Code. Shetti had apologised on Friday claiming that he did not have a casteist mindset.

Shetti had claimed while apologising, that he did not intend to hurt the sentiments of any community but was speaking about giving justice to the kin of martyrs. Shetti is contesting from Hatkanangale in western Maharashtra with the support of the Congress-NCP alliance and is pitted against Shiv Sena's Dhairyasheel Mane.

(With inputs from agencies.)