The Maharashtra Legislative Assembly witnessed a unique protest by the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, as legislators donned lungis and baniyans to express their strong disapproval of the recent actions of a Shiv Sena MLA. The MLA in question, Sanjay Gaikwad, is under fire for allegedly assaulting a canteen worker at the Akashvani MLA hostel in Mumbai after complaining about the quality of food served.
The "lungi, baniyan" protest was a symbolic act intended to condemn both the assault and what the opposition perceives as the government's inaction in addressing the issue. Video footage showed MVA leaders, including Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balahasaheb Thackeray) MLC Ambadas Danve and NCP(SP) leader Jitendra Awhad, participating in the demonstration. They wore baniyans and towels styled as lungis over their regular clothes while raising slogans against the ruling alliance, accusing them of "gooda raj" (lawlessness). Some MVA legislators also held posters that labeled ministers from the Shinde faction as part of a "Chaddi-Baniyan Gang", highlighting alleged corruption and moral decline within the government.
The incident involving MLA Sanjay Gaikwad occurred last week and sparked widespread condemnation across the political spectrum. Gaikwad reportedly ordered food from the Akashvani MLA hostel canteen and was dissatisfied with the quality, alleging that the dal and rice were stale. Enraged, he confronted the canteen staff, leading to a physical altercation where he slapped and manhandled an employee. A video of the incident went viral, further intensifying the criticism.
Following the incident, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) suspended the canteen's license after conducting an inspection and collecting food samples. Gaikwad, however, remained defiant, stating that he had no regrets and would raise the issue of food quality during the ongoing session of the Maharashtra legislature. He further stirred controversy by accusing the Shetty community of damaging Maharashtra's culture through questionable businesses in Mumbai.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis condemned Gaikwad's actions, stating that "such conduct does not send the right message" and impacts the image of the state legislature. He also directed the police to investigate the incident, leading to the filing of a non-cognizable offense case against Gaikwad. Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who heads the Shiv Sena, also warned party leaders against letting success cloud their judgment and emphasized the importance of discipline and accountability.
The "lungi, baniyan" protest is the latest in a series of political events that have marked the monsoon session of the Maharashtra legislature, which is scheduled from June 30 to July 18. Other issues that have been raised include protests against the Shaktipeeth Expressway project, concerns about Marathi language supremacy, and demands for the rehabilitation of displaced residents from a transit camp. The opposition's unconventional protest underscores the heightened political tensions in the state and the determination to hold the government accountable for the actions of its members.
