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Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Gaikwad Slaps Canteen Worker | Watch

July 9, 2025, 12:00 pm

Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Gaikwad from the faction of the Eknath Shinde group triggered widespread outrage after a video clip of him assaulting a canteen employee at the MLA Hostel in Mumbai became viral. The incident was reported on Tuesday night when Gaikwad allegedly got stale and stinking dal-rice served to him in his room.

Talking to PTI after the incident, Gaikwad defended the beating, saying that he did not regret it. “Food was stale,” he asserted, adding that he would bring up the matter in the current monsoon session of the Maharashtra Assembly.

“When a person does not speak the language of democracy, then I have to [use] this language alone,” he informed the news agency.

Caught on Camera: Assault and Abuse

The viral clip documents Gaikwad entering the canteen, insulting the operator, not paying the bill, and slapping a billing counter staffer. He pushed and shoved other staff members who were present at the spot as well. Gaikwad instructed others in the canteen not to pay for their food as well.

Shameful conduct by Shiv Sena (Shinde) MLA Sanjay Gaikwad assaulted poor canteen staff over bad food, when he could’ve raised the issue through proper channels…
Is this how a public representative is expected to behave?
Let’s see if Devendra Fadnavis dares to act, or stays… pic.twitter.com/YhVfShiffA

— Archana Pawar 🇮🇳 (@SilentEyes0106) July 9, 2025

The MLA stated that he had submitted multiple complaints regarding food quality, but did not notice any improvement. “I did not beat him, checking if he is Marathi or Hindi-speaking. I had raised the issue with the concerned authorities on various occasions. I will say it again,” he said, making a distinction between his and MNS and Shiv Sena (UBT) workers’ actions.

Violent History Resurfaces

This is not the first time Gaikwad has courted controversy. Political rivals, especially the Congress, quickly pointed out his previous inflammatory statements. Last year, he offered a ₹11 lakh reward for anyone who would cut off Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s tongue over remarks related to reservation. A day later, he escalated his rhetoric by saying he would bury “Congress dogs”.

These recurring episodes of public violence have led to questions regarding the culture of impunity among elected officials. Opposition leaders are calling for accountability, and civil society voices are criticizing the escalation of violence in public life.

Hindi or Marathi? Why Maharashtra’s Language Debate Is Back

July 8, 2025, 3:56 pm

The Hindi imposition controversy in Maharashtra has flared up again after the Devendra Fadnavis government canceled a contentious resolution on the three-language formula. The decision, which had initially sought to implement Hindi from Class 1 in Marathi and English medium schools, has now precipitated a massive political and social backlash.

A day before the Monsoon Session, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis declared that the government was withdrawing the language policy and constituting a committee to examine its implementation. “We are withdrawing the GR,” Fadnavis said in a press conference in Mumbai on Tuesday.

The reversal followed a strong recommendation from the Language Advisory Committee, which urged the Chief Minister to avoid introducing a third language, especially Hindi, before Class 5. The committee passed a resolution warning against early language imposition and stressed the primacy of Marathi in the state’s education system.

The Controversial Order That Sparked the Row

The row broke out after the state changed its education policy, announcing that Hindi would be “generally” taught as a third language from Classes 1 to 5. The order provided a buffer zone—if at least 20 students in each class chose another Indian language, schools could appoint a different teacher or have online classes for teaching.

Yet, Opposition parties like the Shiv Sena (UBT) and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) saw the move as one that tried to push Marathi aside and favor Hindi. People soon raised their voices in protest, turning the rollback into a state-wide phenomenon.

Thackeray Cousins Reunite Over Language Protest

In an unusual political moment, estranged cousins Raj Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray appeared on the same platform for the first time in almost two decades. The reunion was at a “mega victory gathering” in Mumbai to celebrate the government’s withdrawal of the Hindi mandate.

Making a dig at Fadnavis, Raj Thackeray announced, “Fadnavis has managed to do what even Bal Thackeray could not.” The remark elicited applause from party workers and marked a moment of consensus between the Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS on the issue of language.

Tensions Spill Over to the Streets

Street-level violence has also intensified. A video went viral where people—some of them clad in MNS scarves—attacked a food stall operator and demanded that he use Marathi. This led to counter-protests from local businessmen.

The workers of MNS retaliated by taking out a rally at Mira Road, Thane, which resulted in several detentions. Fadnavis responded to the situation strongly, saying, “Strict action will be taken against those who take the law into their own hands.”

Amid a passionate argument, an old video of Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray has surfaced. In it, he says, “I may be Marathi in Maharashtra but I am Hindu in Bharat,” reasserting his faith in giving importance to Hindutva rather than linguistic differences.

MNS Protest Over ‘Slapgate’ Turns Chaotic in Mira Road, Dozens Detained

July 8, 2025, 1:29 pm

There has been a flare-up of tensions in Maharashtra on Tuesday when supporters of Raj Thackeray’s Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) workers were arrested at a rally in Thane’s Mira Road, organized in response to a traders’ protest against an assault related to the ongoing Marathi language controversy. The incident, now referred to as ‘slapgate’, has caused political and linguistic disturbances throughout the state.

MNS Protest Halts Traffic in Thane District

MNS workers went on to protest in Mira Bhayandar, marching against what they perceived as biased treatment by the authorities, particularly in light of allowing traders to protest over the previous assault incident. Their procession caused massive traffic snarls, leading to a heavy police presence and roadblocks across the Thane district.

#WATCH | Maharashtra | Police detain MNS workers protesting to counter traders’ protest over language row, in Mira Bhayandar area pic.twitter.com/r9F1Rch10D

— ANI (@ANI) July 8, 2025

Dramatic scenes were witnessed as police quickly arrested MNS workers and packed them into vans. Protesters claimed that they had been denied permission to march and asked why a similar ban was not placed on the protest of traders.

“Anyone residing in Maharashtra should learn Marathi,” some detained workers insisted, threatening that those who fail to do so will “face consequences.”

CM Fadnavis: MNS Refused to Follow Permitted Route

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis justified the police action, claiming that the MNS workers had not taken the route of the protest as agreed upon.

In Maharashtra, a protest march can be taken out by anyone. Anyone is free to do so after getting police permission. There are traffic problems, risk of stampede, etc. The police commissioner informed me that they (MNS leaders) were requested to alter the route, but they refused. So police halted them,” Fadnavis stated.

In a veiled dig at MNS and its leadership, Fadnavis further said, “I believe I understand Maharashtra’s mood. Such experiments will not succeed here. A Marathi person has a big heart. He does not think small.”

What Triggers ‘Slapgate’?

The row started on Sunday evening when Babulal Chaudhary, a 48-year-old sweet shop owner in Mira Road, was slapped and threatened by seven MNS workers. The incident occurred after his staff member Bagharam used Hindi. The attackers asked them to use only Marathi. When Chaudhary retorted that all languages are used in Maharashtra, tensions ran high. A video of the attack went viral, and public outrage and the language issue started.

Earlier in the month, Fadnavis stated, “There is nothing wrong in taking pride in the Marathi language in Maharashtra. But if one involves himself in hooliganism because of the language, we will not allow it.”

He said, “The police have registered an FIR and acted on the incident, and if anyone generates such a language controversy in the future, legal action will be taken. We are proud of our Marathi, but injustice cannot be done with any language of India like this.”

He also condemned selective outrage: “Sometimes I am astonished that these people adopt English and rake up controversies over Hindi. What is this line of thinking, and what is this line of action? So, stern action will be taken against those who take the law into their hands.”

Political Shifts Add Fuel to Language Fire

This controversy over language has come amidst changing political alliances in Maharashtra. Interestingly, estranged cousins Raj Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray have come together in the background of the BJP’s growing criticism of MNS in the slapgate saga.

The incident also came after a political furore over the attempt of the state government to include Hindi in the curriculum of primary schools, which was subsequently withdrawn under compulsion.

“Tumko Patak Patak Ke Maarenge”: BJP MP Nishikant Dubey Dares Raj Thackeray Over Marathi Row

July 7, 2025, 6:46 pm

BJP MP Nishikant Dubey on Monday courted a new political controversy by strongly reacting to MNS leader Raj Thackeray’s inflammatory remark asking party workers to “strike below the eardrum” of those who don’t speak Marathi. Referring to Thackeray indirectly, Dubey asked the MNS leader to venture outside Maharashtra and threatened, “Tumko patak patak ke maarenge” (You will be thrashed repeatedly).

Dubey Targets Raj and Uddhav on Politics of Language

Dubey’s statements followed Raj Thackeray, in a recent rally, directing his party cadres to make non-Marathi speakers learn Marathi, but not to record videos when they take action against them.

“Gujarati or whoever it is here, should learn Marathi, but you don’t need to beat them for that if they don’t speak Marathi. But if someone displays useless drama, you have to hit below the eardrums,” Thackeray said, while also cautioning his supporters against shooting such incidents.

In a scathing counterattack, Dubey targeted both Raj and Uddhav Thackeray, calling them “cheap politicians” before the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls.

“You are saying that people will have to speak Marathi. Whose roti (bread) you are eating? There are Tata, Birla and Reliance, they are not unique to Maharashtra. Tata established its first factory here (in Bihar). You people are surviving on our money,” Dubey lashed out.

Dubey Challenges Thackerays to Act Beyond Maharashtra

Challenging Raj Thackeray to attack speakers of other languages too, Nishikant Dubey said, “If you are courageous enough and beat those who speak Hindi, then you should beat all those who speak Urdu, Tamil, and Telugu. If you are such a big ‘boss’, come out of Maharashtra, come to Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu – ‘tumko patak patak ke maarenge’ (You will be thrashed). This anarchy won’t work,” the BJP leader asserted.

#WATCH | Guwahati, Assam | On Raj Thackeray’s remark ‘beat but don’t make a video’, BJP MP Nishikant Dubey says, “…You people are surviving on our money. What kind of industries do you have?… If you are courageous enough and beat those who speak Hindi, then you should beat… pic.twitter.com/gRvAjtD0iW

— ANI (@ANI) July 7, 2025

He also dared the Thackeray cousins to go to Mahim and face non-Marathi speakers openly. “If they have courage, they should go to Mahim and beat any Hindi or Urdu speaking people in front of Mahim dargah, then I will consider them true ancestors of Balasaheb Thackeray,” he further added.

Shiv Sena and Opposition Backlash

Dubey’s statement attracted severe criticism from Shiv Sena MP Priyanka Chaturvedi, who challenged the BJP MP’s jurisdiction. “Who made him the gatekeeper of Hindi? Who made him the tax collector of India? Who made him the spokesperson of industrialists?” she questioned.

She also aimed at Maharashtra Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis, questioning whether he supports the MP’s offensive language. “Does @Dev_Fadnavis ji approve of their party MP’s language towards people of Maharashtra and his derogatory remarks about hardworking people of the state?” she posted on X.

Who made him the gatekeeper of Hindi?
Who made him the tax keeper of India?
Who made him the spokesperson of industrialists?
Who made him the decision maker of what other party leaders should be doing?

Does @Dev_Fadnavis ji agree with their party MP’s language with regards to… https://t.co/CWubjlO174

— Priyanka Chaturvedi🇮🇳 (@priyankac19) July 7, 2025

The incendiary exchange is against the backdrop of increasing political heat in Maharashtra on the Marathi language matter, with the Thackeray cousins coming together again to marshal regional support before key civic elections.