An old video of Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Gaikwad resurfaced recently, adding another layer to the controversies surrounding the legislator. This occurred amidst the "Slapgate" incident, where Gaikwad was caught on video assaulting canteen staff at a Mumbai hostel. The resurfaced video reveals that Gaikwad had previously offered a bounty of ₹11 lakh to anyone who would "chop off the tongue" of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.
The incident dates back to September 2024, when Gaikwad, a member of the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena faction, made the inflammatory remarks in response to Rahul Gandhi's statements regarding reservation policies during a trip to the United States. Gaikwad alleged that Gandhi's comments indicated a desire to end reservations for Dalit, tribal, and Other Backward Classes (OBC) communities. He argued that while communities in Maharashtra were fighting for reservation, Gandhi was speaking about ending it, which he described as a betrayal.
"Whoever chops off Rahul Gandhi's tongue, I will give him a reward of Rs 11 lakh," Gaikwad had declared. He accused Gandhi of creating a false narrative about the Constitution being in danger during the Lok Sabha elections to gain votes. Gaikwad's outburst was met with severe criticism from various quarters. The Congress party demanded action against him, with some leaders calling for his arrest. They viewed his statement as an incitement to violence against a prominent political figure.
Following the uproar, police in Buldhana registered a case against Gaikwad. The FIR included charges of criminal intimidation and provocation. Despite the legal action and public condemnation, Gaikwad remained defiant, stating that he was willing to face the legal consequences and did not regret his comments.
The BJP, a coalition partner in the Shiv Sena-led government, distanced itself from Gaikwad's remarks. Chandrashekhar Bawankule, the Maharashtra BJP president, stated that he did not support or endorse Gaikwad's comments. This distancing highlighted the discomfort within the ruling alliance over Gaikwad's controversial statement.
The Congress party staged protests in Buldhana, demanding immediate action against Gaikwad. Nana Patole, the Maharashtra Congress president, called on Chief Minister Eknath Shinde to clarify his stance on Gaikwad's remarks and demanded legal action.
Gaikwad has a history of making controversial statements. In 2021, he said he wanted to "shove corona down Devendra Fadnavis's throat," accusing the BJP leader of politicizing the pandemic. In the same year, he claimed to have hunted a tiger in 1987 and still wore its tooth, which led to a notice under the Wildlife Protection Act.
The resurfacing of the "chop off the tongue" video has amplified the criticism against Gaikwad, particularly in light of the recent "Slapgate" incident. In the recent video, Gaikwad was seen slapping, punching, and abusing canteen staffers at the Akashwani MLA hostel in Mumbai. He claimed that the food served to him was "rotten" and unfit for consumption. Justifying his actions, Gaikwad invoked the legacy of Bal Thackeray, saying, "I'm a fighter. When words fail, action is necessary". These incidents have cast a shadow over Gaikwad's political career and raised questions about his conduct as a public representative.
