Congress still hasn't apologised: AAP tries to deflect criticism over Jain monk row

 Delhi PWD Minister Satyendar Jain met Jain monk Tarun Sagar at Chandigarh in the wake of a controversy over music composer and AAP supporter Vishal Dadlani's Twitter remark criticising the monk's address to Haryana Assembly.
The meeting took place this morning even as a group of Jain community members staged a protest outside Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's residence in the national capital, demanding immediate arrest of Dadlani.
"I met Tarun Sagar Maharaj and talked about the controversy that arose two days ago. He said that he was not affected by it and that he has forgiven those who inadvertently did so," the Delhi minister said.
Jain said efforts were on to politicise the whole issue and that the matter should be put to rest as the monk has forgiven the guilty.

"I feel some people are doing politics over it, the issue should be ended now. (Congress man) Tehsin Poonawala who commented against Maharaj-ji has not even apologised and none of his party's leaders, including Soniaji and Rahul Gandhi, has expressed regret over it. The matter should be kept away from politics," he said.
Jain said he and Kejriwal had earlier sought forgiveness for Dadlani's tweets.

"I also carried Arvind Kejriwal's message that he felt sad for what was said about him to which Maharaji-ji said that he has already forgiven those who inadvertently did so," he said.
Jain also defended Dadlani, saying that he realised his mistake and was deeply hurt over the whole issue and repeatedly sought forgiveness for his act.
"Vishal realised that he committed a mistake and was deeply hurt. He expressed apologies many times. It was not a matter of difference of opinion it was about a word that he unknowingly used," Jain said, rejecting suggestion that his visit was a damage control exercise by AAP.

Stung by criticism from several quarters, including Kejriwal, over his sarcastic tweet on the Jain monk's address to the Haryana Assembly, Dadlani had yesterday announced quitting "all active political work/affiliation".
Dadlani deleted the Saturday tweet and tendered an apology, saying he "made a mistake by offending the peaceful Jain community". He also apologised to the Jain monk on Twitter.
The Haryana government had invited the Jain monk to deliver a lecture 'Kadve Vachan' in the Assembly on Friday.
Asked about a similar invite to the monk to address the Delhi Assembly, Jain said he was not aware about any such programme and that a decision on such an event could be taken by the Assembly Speaker only. PTI VIT 

Jain monk Sagar 'forgives' Vishal Dadlani for irreverent tweet 

Bollywood singer and music composer Vishal Dadlani has been forgiven by Jain monk Tarun Sagar for his recent criticism.

Tarun Sagar told ANI 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.

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.

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 ANI.

Tarun Sagar, referred to as Maharaj ji by followers, was invited to address all Haryana state lawmakers on Friday.
 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.

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. 

With inputs from PTI and ANI