A shocking incident of assault by Maharashtra Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Gaikwad has come to light after he physically attacked a canteen staff member over the quality of dal served at the Akashvani MLA canteen in Mumbai. The incident, which occurred during peak hours, has sparked widespread condemnation, raising questions about the behavior of elected representatives in public spaces.
The altercation began when Gaikwad, an MLA from Buldhana, received a thali with what he claimed was "rotten" dal. After consuming some of the food and experiencing stomach cramps and uneasiness, Gaikwad stormed into the canteen to confront the staff. In the now-viral video, the MLA is seen aggressively questioning the canteen staff, demanding they smell the dal to confirm its foul quality. As tensions escalated, Gaikwad slapped the canteen worker, Yogesh Kutran, repeatedly before punching him, causing him to fall to the ground.
Despite the incident being caught on camera, Gaikwad stood by his actions, claiming that his conduct was justified, citing the teachings of Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray. He dismissed concerns about his behavior, asserting, "I am an MLA and a warrior too. When someone chooses not to understand despite repeated attempts, I used the language Balasaheb Thackeray has taught us." Gaikwad, who claims to be skilled in judo, gymnastics, and karate, emphasized that he had no regrets and did not think he had done anything wrong. He also expressed his intent to raise the issue in the Maharashtra Assembly, despite the controversy surrounding his actions.
The assault has drawn harsh criticism from opposition parties, who accuse Gaikwad of abusing his power. Congress MLA Nana Patole called Gaikwad's actions "arrogance of power" and demanded his removal as the head of the food committee. Patole further questioned why the food contractor had not been replaced despite repeated complaints about the poor quality of food. Bhaskar Jadhav of Shiv Sena (UBT) also criticized the ruling alliance for failing to take action against Gaikwad, pointing out the discrepancy in how the government responds to misconduct by their own members versus opposition figures.
While most customers at the canteen agreed that food quality needed improvement, they condemned Gaikwad’s violent actions. Staff members also expressed their disapproval, with some pointing out that the MLA's approach to the issue could have been handled more professionally. In a surprising turn, Yogesh Kutran, the assaulted staff member, declined to file a complaint with the police despite their visit to his residence.
