A month after the criticism from all corners of the media over the alleged force-feeding of a Muslim employee of Maharashtra Sadan in Delhi during Ramzan, the Shiv Sena has decided to take on media houses one-by-one by sending them legal notices. It wants them to apologise or face defamation suits.

The party on Tuesday sent a legal notice to the Indian Express and has asked the newspaper to tender an unconditional apology within 24 hours after receiving it.

“We have served them (Indian Express) with a notice. The impugned act amounts to gross defamation of Sena MP Rajan Vichare and his political party,” said Advocate Aniket Nikam on behalf of the Sena. Mr. Nikam however refused to divulge more details about the notice and said that he will wait for the newspaper’s response.

The controversy erupted while a group of Sena MPs were protesting against the pitiable conditions of Maharashtra Sadan and bad quality of food being served there. During the confrontation, Sena MP Rajan Vichare, accompanied by several other MPs from the Sena, allegedly force-fed a roti to one of the Muslim employees who was observing Ramzan fast.

According to a senior Sena leader, the notice has claimed that the media stories were carried to tarnish the image of the party and also of Mr. Vichare. The notice also says that the video footage of the incident clearly shows that Mr. Vichare waved the Roti near the employee’s mouth and withdrew it after the latter said that he is on fast.