Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana leader and Hatkanangale Lok Sabha MP Raju Shetti Friday apologised for an alleged anti-Brahmin remark at a poll rally.
Speaking at a rally in Hatkanangale in western Maharashtra Wednesday, Shetti purportedly said that while farmers' children join the Army and fight for the country, those of "Deshpandes and Kulkarnis" (denoting Brahmins) shun the Army but preach others patriotism.
It had led to a complaint being filed with the Election Commission on Thursday against Shetti by one Ankit Kane of the Brahmin Jagruti Seva Sangh.
Speaking in Kolhapur on Friday, he said he did not intend to hurt the sentiments of any community, adding that he was speaking about giving justice to the kin of martyrs.
Claiming that he did not have a "casteist" mindset, Shetti said, "As I come from Kolhapur, which is the karmbhoomi of Shahu Maharaj, and started my public life with Shetkari Sanghatana founder Sharad Joshi, therefore casteist thought cannot even touch my mind."
"I offer my apology to the people who were hurt by my statement," Shetti added.
Shetti is contesting from Hatkanangale with the support of the Congress-NCP alliance against the Shiv Sena's Dhairyasheel Mane.
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