Bollywood singer and music composer Vishal Dadlani has been forgiven by Jain monk Tarun Sagar for his recent criticism.
Tarun Sagar told that may be Dadlani does not know anything about the Jain monks, Jainism or their beliefs, adding that had he known about that, he would not have made such a comment.
“He just knows that the Digambar Sadhus remain naked. He does not know about the Indian culture. Had he known about that, he would not have made such a comment. There is no question of apology as I am not angry with him. But the people of the society who respects me get hurt and they protest. Everyone should have the courage to say something which is wrong,” he added.
Tarun Sagar ji Maharaj is a very reverred saint, not just for jains but everyone. Those showing disrespect is unfortunate and shud stop
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) August 27, 2016
The Jain monk said he was in Delhi eight months ago as he had to address the Delhi Assembly on March 15 but the programme got cancelled at last minute.
“Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Speaker Ram Niwas Goel had invited me. The Speaker had told me that we would like to hear your speech whenever you come to Delhi. The work of the saints is to speak and make people understand…they do that,” he added.
Dubbing the incident as ‘unfortunate’, Delhi Home Minister Satyendra Jain said Dadlani has apologised for what he said unintentionally.
“I had come to apologise but he had forgiven already. He said we are sadhus…we have sacrificed clothes…we do not keep these things in mind. I think he should not have made such a comment,” he added.
I apologise for hurting feelings of Jain community by my friend @VishalDadlani. I seek kshama from Muni Shri Tarun Sagar ji Maharaj.
— Satyendar Jain (@SatyendarJain) August 27, 2016
Meanwhile, a complaint in regard to the matter has been received at the Chembur police station in Mumbai against Dadlani about his tweet on Jain Muni Tarun Sagar.
“We are looking into the complaint and taking legal opinion, then we will take a call on this,” Mumbai DCP Zone 6 Shahaji Umap told.
Tarun Sagar, referred to as Maharaj ji by followers, was invited to address all Haryana state lawmakers on Friday.
Because Vishal Dadlani knows his head will be intact..and he will still be breathing. Pathetic. pic.twitter.com/yp2aZmyber
— Maya (@Sharanyashettyy) August 27, 2016
Dadlani was critical of the speech, suggesting that it reflected an unhealthy trend of religion colouring politics.
That dude has the same education, as he has clothes on. None. I’ve no problem with nudity. I have a problem with religion in governance,” Dadlani tweeted.
“People actually trying to defend the colossal idiocy of some naked monk, addressing Haryana assembly, telling women how to live! UNREAL!,” he added.
He later deleted his comment on his Twitter handle and issued a public apology to Jains “and all others offended”.
“I apologise again, to the Jain Community, & all others offended. But I beg you all not to support religion in governance, for India’s sake,” Dadlani said.
@VishalDadlani you have managed to offend quite a few people... Jains and non Jains. it's best to think before uttering hurtful words.
— Alka Misra (@alkabist) August 27, 2016
However, the whole episode has led Dadalni to quit politics, which he announced on Twitter yesterday.
“It feel bad that I hurt my Jain friends & my friends @ArvindKejriwal & @SatyendarJain. I hereby quit all active political work/affiliation,” he tweeted.
BJP LIKELY TO MOVE PRIVILEGE NOTICE IN HARYANA AGAINST DADLANI
Haryana's ruling BJP is likely to move privilege motion in the state assembly against singer Vishal Dadlani, who is being criticised for his controversial remarks against Digambar Jain community monk Tarun Sagar, sources said.
A senior BJP leader told IANS on the conditions of anonymity that such a notice is also likely to be moved against Congress supporter Tehseen Poonawala, who has also made derogatory remarks against Tarun Sagar.
@VishalDadlani if you don't know the real principle of #Jainism then stop commenting on it.I know how pure my religion is and its belief.
— Vidit Sethi Jain (@Vidit_Sethi) August 27, 2016
"The decision in regard to the address to the assembly of Jain monk was unanimous and was taken in a meeting of the business advisory committee of the assembly," the BJP leader said.
"The remarks made by Dadlani and Poonawala are not only derogatory but also amounts to be of privilege of the assembly as it was a unanimous decision regarding his address to the assembly," he added.
He also said that there was nothing new in such an address in the assembly by a religious leader.
"Many of the state assemblies have invited such dignitaries to address their assemblies," the BJP leader said.
The BJP has already condemned the comments as "indecent, undignified and petty".
Tarun Sagar, a Digambar Jain community monk, addressed the Haryana assembly on Friday.
A day later, Dadlani called Tarun Sagar's speech as "monkery". He later deleted his comment but came under widespread attack from members of the Jain community.
However, Dadlani on Sunday announced he quit the AAP after offending the Jain community.
Poonawalla, in a tweet, had said: "Why is this 'naked' man 'holy' even if he walks 'nude' in the state assembly while a woman would be termed slut (sic)".
DADLANI SAYS HE QUIT AAP ON HIS OWN, CALLS AAP FAMILY
Music director and singer Vishal Dadlani on Sunday said he quit the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on his own after offending the Jain community and that he still saw the AAP as "family".
@shtl1980 @VishalDadlani @RitaG74 disrespecting all faiths except muslims is a new trends among these seculars and apptards
— Vikas (@cracklier) August 27, 2016
In a string of tweets, Dadlani -- the most vocal backer of the AAP in Bollywood -- insisted that the party had not shown the door to him after his controversial tweet on a Jain religious leader, Tarun Sagar.
"A lot is being said against AAP because I chose to quit. I just want to say, AAP is a family. Please keep faith in (Delhi Chief Minister) Arvind Kejriwal and the party!" the Bollywood personality said.
"I apologize again, to the Jain Community, and all others offended. But I beg you all not to support religion in governance, for India's sake," he added.
Tarun Sagar, a Digambar Jain community monk, addressed the Haryana assembly on Friday.
A day later, Dadlani called Tarun Sagar's speech as "monkery". This he later deleted. But Dadlani came under widespread attack from members of the Jain community.
Kejriwal described Tarun Sagarji Maharaj "as a very revered saint, not just for Jains but everyone. Those showing disrespect is unfortunate and should stop. We deeply respect him and his thoughts".
Delhi's Home Minister Satyendar Jain also apologized for Dadlani's remark.
"I feel bad that I hurt my Jain friends and my friends Kejriwal and Satyendar Jain. I hereby quit all active political work or affiliation," Dadlani said.
"I'm sorry to have offended you and your beliefs too, Sir. My intent was not to hurt anyone. Spoke without thinking," he added.
An AAP supporter tweeted: "Vishal Dadlani, Please don't test our patience. We may do dharna outside (your) house if you leave us in the middle of our fight."
Dadlani responded: "Ha ha! What a party that would be! AAP volunteers are the best in the world! Aa jaao! I will personally hug each one!"
He again said: "Please. Nobody has forced me to do or say anything. Whatever I have said, good or bad, is my own.
"I'm no leader, man. I'm just a guy with too many opinions. Learnt that India is safer when we all just wave and smile.
"I'm happy to apologize as long as people can see that mixing religion in governance is a serious problem!"
VISHAL DADLANI, CONGRESS LEADER BOOKED OVER JAIN MONK REMARKS
The Haryana Police on Monday booked Bollywood music director Vishal Dadlani and Congress leader Tehseen Poonawalla for making "objectionable" remarks against Jain religious leader Tarun Sagar.
Both of them were booked by the police in Haryana's Ambala city, 45 km from here, following complaints received from the members of the Jain community and others.
Dadlani had tweeted against the Jain leader addressing the Haryana assembly on Friday.
Tarun Sagar is a Digambar Jain community monk and the monks in Digambara sect of Jainism do not wear clothes.
Following widespread condemnation, including from Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal, Dadlani removed his tweet and apologised.
Dadlani and Poonawala have been booked under Sections 153-A (promoting enmity between different groups on religious lines) and 295-A (hurting religious sentiments) of the Indian Penal Code.
Dadlani on Sunday said he quit the AAP on his own after offending the Jain community.
"I apologise again to the Jain Community and all others offended. But I beg you all not to support religion in governance, for India's sake," he added.
Poonawala had supported Dadlani's tweet and was trolled on social media.
A resolution condemning Dadlani and others was moved in the Haryana Assembly on Monday. However, it was not passed following objections from the Opposition.
