Vishal Dadlani QUITS Aam Aadmi Party after MOCKING Jain guru Tarun Sagar on Twitter!

Mumbai: Music director and singer Vishal Dadlani on Sunday said he quit the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on his own after offending the Jain community and that he still saw the AAP as "family".

Singer Abhijeet says he is paying heavy price for being nationalist ! In a string of tweets, Dadlani -- the most vocal backer of the AAP in Bollywood -- insisted that the party had not shown the door to him after his controversial tweet on a Jain religious leader, Tarun Sagar. Vishal Dadlani's controversial tweet that was later deleted "A lot is being said against AAP because I chose to quit. I just want to say, AAP is a family. Please keep faith in (Delhi Chief Minister) Arvind Kejriwal and the party!" the Bollywood personality said. "I apologize again, to the Jain Community, and all others offended. But I beg you all not to support religion in governance, for India's sake," he added.

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.

— VISHAL DADLANI (@VishalDadlani) August 28, 2016

Tarun Sagar, a Digambar Jain community monk, addressed the Haryana assembly on Friday. A day later, Dadlani called Tarun Sagar's speech as "monkery". This he later deleted. But Dadlani came under widespread attack from members of the Jain community. Kejriwal described Tarun Sagarji Maharaj "as a very revered saint, not just for Jains but everyone. Those showing disrespect is unfortunate and should stop. We deeply respect him and his thoughts".

Tarun Sagar ji Maharaj is a very reverred saint, not just for jains but everyone. Those showing disrespect is unfortunate and shud stop — Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) August 27, 2016

I met Shri Tarun Sagar ji Maharaj last year. Our family regularly listens to his discourses on TV. We deeply respect him and his thoughts — Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) August 27, 2016

Delhi's Home Minister Satyendar Jain also apologized for Dadlani's remark.

I apologise for hurting feelings of Jain community by my friend @VishalDadlani. I seek kshama from Muni Shri Tarun Sagar ji Maharaj. — Satyendar Jain (@SatyendarJain) August 27, 2016

"I feel bad that I hurt my Jain friends and my friends Kejriwal and Satyendar Jain. I hereby quit all active political work or affiliation," Dadlani said.

It feel bad that I hurt my Jain friends & my friends @ArvindKejriwal & @SatyendarJain .I hereby quit all active political work/affiliation.

— VISHAL DADLANI (@VishalDadlani) August 27, 2016

"I'm sorry to have offended you and your beliefs too, Sir. My intent was not to hurt anyone. Spoke without thinking," he added.

I'm sorry to have offended you and your beliefs too, Sir. My intent was not to hurt anyone. Spoke without thinking. https://t.co/BqpT0Rks6M — VISHAL DADLANI (@VishalDadlani) August 27, 2016

An AAP supporter tweeted: "Vishal Dadlani, Please don't test our patience. We may do dharna outside (your) house if you leave us in the middle of our fight." Dadlani responded: "Ha ha! What a party that would be! AAP volunteers are the best in the world! Aa jaao! I will personally hug each one!"

Haha! What a party that would be! AAP volunteers are the best in the world! Aa jaao! I will personally hug each one! https://t.co/sZMBUHkn4W

— VISHAL DADLANI (@VishalDadlani) August 28, 2016

He again said: "Please. Nobody has forced me to do or say anything. Whatever I have said, good or bad, is my own.

Please. Nobody has thrown me out. I've chosen to renounce politics to apologise to the Jains I've hurt. https://t.co/LKqEKAtl5k — VISHAL DADLANI (@VishalDadlani) August 28, 2016

"I'm no leader, man. I'm just a guy with too many opinions. Learnt that India is safer when we all just wave and smile.

I'm no leader, man. I'm just a guy with too many opinions. Learnt that India is safer when we all just wave & smile. https://t.co/yYlF9L4JEg

— VISHAL DADLANI (@VishalDadlani) August 28, 2016

"I'm happy to apologize as long as people can see that mixing religion in governance is a serious problem!"

I'm happy to apologise, as long as people can see that mixing religion in governance is a serious problem! https://t.co/dLR2x5Piog — VISHAL DADLANI (@VishalDadlani) August 27, 2016

IANS