Sheriff8217;s remarks set off a storm

DECEMBER 21: Mumbai sheriff Chandrakant Bakshi, just three days old in the post, is facing a demand for his ouster. And at the helm of the oust-sheriff campaign is once again the ruling Shiv Sena, fresh out of fighting Fire and apparently hungry for more.

Bakshi is in trouble for some remarks he made even before he was sworn in. He had accused sadhus of Swaminarayan cult of practicing 8220;untouchability8221; at a seminar on Women of India8217; organised by the Asmita Cultural Foundation on December 18. 8220;When untouchability was rampant in Indian society, the so-called higher castes at least looked at the Dalits, but the sadhus of the Swaminarayan cult do not even look at a woman8230;this is even worse,8221; were the words which have affronted followers of the Swaminarayan cult, Jains and Dalits, who have now joined Shiv Sena in demanding Bakshi8217;s ouster. A group of Shiv Sainiks led by Gujarat vibhag pramukh Mukesh Gandhi, members of the Jain Samata Vahini, a large number of Swaminarayan cult followers led by the priestsof Dadar, Malad and Mulund temples and some representatives of Dalit organisations today met Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray to demand that Bakshi be asked to step down. Though Thackeray condemned Sheriff8217;s statement he, quite uncharacteristically, refused to intervene saying that Bakshi was Sena8217;s alliance partner BJP8217;s nominee. 8220;It is unfortunate that Bakshi made such irresponsible statement and hurt the sentiments of Jains, Dalits and followers of Swaminarayan cult,8221; Thackeray told the delegation and added, 8220;Jainism is a great religion and even I have converted to vegetarianism under the influence of some Jain saints.8221;

But the Bakshi-baiters are not giving up. The Meghwal Samaj, a large body of Dalits led by Devendra Makwana, has threatened to sue the Sheriff and demanded a public apology from him. Jain Samta Vahini, the organisation which was at the forefront of anti-Fire demonstrations, is reported to be lobbying hard for Bakshi8217;s removal with some influential members of the Jain community. Accordingto Siddheshwar Swami, priest of the Dadar Swaminarayan Temple, the sadhu8217;s vow to not look at women was not to degrade their women8217;s status, but only to maintain strict brahmacharya. 8220;Lord Swaminarayan had in fact launched a massive campaign to uplift womenfolk. The sheriff will have to apologise to the followers of Lord Swaminarayan,8221; he said.

Bakshi himself is keeping mum. When contacted today he refused to comment on the controversy. 8220;I have nothing to say at this point,8221; is all he had to say.