CONGRESS Varsha Gaikwad on Monday criticised former BJP MP Sujay Vikhe-Patil for calling an end to the free meal services in Shirdi while arguing that the practice was responsible for drawing beggars from across Maharashtra.
”Power has gone to the head of Sujay Vikhe-Patil. He has insulted Saibaba devotees. The meal service in Shirdi is implemented through the donations made by Sai bhakts. It does not happen through the pocket of Sujay Vikhe-Patil. The former MP should start giving free education from his institutes instead of giving free advice,” Gaikwad said.
At an event in Shirdi on Sunday, Vikhe-Patil urged the Shri Saibaba Sansthan Trust CEO Goraksh Gadilkar to stop the practice of giving free meals to devotees. ”The beggars come to Shirdi from across Maharashtra for food. Devotees coming to Shirdi can afford to pay Rs 10 for the meal…Therefore I am making a request to the trust. And this is request from the people of Shirdi. They are united in their demand. The money used for the meal should instead be used for education of children in Shridi.”
Deputy Speaker of State Legislative Council Varsha Gaikwad said, ”No one should use objectionable words like beggars. If any one is demanding nomination for Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha, does that person then become a beggar? If anyone is asking for help from others, does he become a beggar? Those who do not understand the meaning of giving free meal and begging cannot be called cultured people…”
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