• Source:JND
Add as a preferred

Dramatic scenes unfolded outside Maharashtra Legislative Council (Vidhan Bhavan) on Wednesday when Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) legislators, donning "banian (vest) and towel," staged a protest against Shiv Sena (Sinde Faction) MLA Sanjay Gaikwad, who courted a massive controversy earlier last week after a video of him slapping a canteen staff at the MLA hostel in Mumbai went viral.

Condemning the assault by Gaikwad, the opposition legislators wore banians and towels above their dress and shouted "Khatam Kro (end) Goonda raj" slogans against the ruling Shiv Sena-BJP-NCP alliance in the state. "The assault by Gaikwad in the MLA canteen shows that even the government is backing such elements," Leader of Opposition in the state legislative council Ambadas Danve said during the protest.

Congress leader and Brahmapuri MLA Vijay Wadettiwar and NCP-SP leader and Mumbra-Kalwa MLA Jitendra Awhad also attended the protest outside Vidhan Bhavan and said that they are protesting to show the public the "reality of those in power." "We are highlighting how ruling MLAs behave like goons. Gaikwad's actions are shameful, and he must face consequences," Wadettiwar said.

ALSO READ: 'Udaipur Files' Release Postponed Again As SC Asks Filmmakers To Await Centre’s Decision; Defers Hearing Till July 21

Demanding that Gaikwad be suspended from the assembly and legal action be initiated against him, Jitendra Awhad said, "He beat up a canteen worker when he (Gaikwad) was dressed like this. So, we have dressed in the same manner to show how low the level of leadership has stooped."

Sanjay Gaikwad Viral Video:

Shinde faction MLA Sanjay Gaikwad faced flak from those in the government and the opposition alike after a video of him slapping and punching the employee at the MLAs' hostel canteen for being served ‘stale' food went viral. The video showed Gaikwad, wearing a vest and a towel wrapped around his waist, confronting the canteen contractor and forcing him to smell the packet containing dal, before slapping and punching him.

Following the outrage, a non-cognisable offence case under BNS sections 352 and 115(2) was registered by the Mumbai police against Gaikwad. The case was registered afte the canteen staff approached the Marine Drive police station following the asault. Meanwhile the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) suspended the licence of the canteen contractor.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis condemned the incident, stating that such actions reflect poorly on public representatives and give the impression that lawmakers abuse their authority. Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said he had reprimanded MLA Gaikwad for his behaviour. "

ALSO READ: ‘People Point Fingers At Me’: Eknath Shinde Warns Shiv Sena Leaders To Stay Humble Amid Slapgate Controversy

"I told him that if he had a grievance, he should have pursued it legally by filing a complaint. What he did was unacceptable and cannot be defended, even if he was angered by the food," Shinde said.

Despite widespread criticism, Gaikwad remained defiant and said, "I’ve been living in the MLA hostel for six years. There have been past instances of lizards and rats in the food." He also invoked the legacy of Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray to justify his outburst. "If someone doesn’t understand the language of democracy, then this is my language. I am a warrior," Gaikwad said, adding that he would not hesitate to repeat his actions if necessary.

Also In News