Sanjay Gaikwad Faces Backlash for Slapping Canteen Worker

Mumbai, Jul 9 (PTI) - The ruling Shiv Sena's legislator, Sanjay Gaikwad, is at the center of controversy after reportedly slapping a canteen employee at the MLAs' hostel in Mumbai over allegations of being served stale food. Following the incident on Tuesday night, Gaikwad, an MLA from Buldhana, expressed dissatisfaction with the food quality and announced his intent to bring up the issue during the ongoing Maharashtra legislative session. Meanwhile, this behavior has drawn criticism from some opposition parties.

A video of the incident, which took place at the Akashvani MLA hostel, has gone viral on social media. The footage shows Gaikwad berating the canteen operator, refusing to settle the bill, and slapping the staff member seated at the billing counter.

"I have complained about the poor quality of food two or three times before. This time, the food was absolutely unacceptable. I will raise this matter in the ongoing legislative session," stated Gaikwad, who previously faced criticism for his actions, during an interview with a regional news channel.

Gaikwad ordered dinner from the canteen at the MLA hostel on Tuesday night. Sources indicate that he found the dal and rice served in his room stale and foul-smelling. In a fit of anger, the Shiv Sena leader, affiliated with the faction led by Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, confronted the canteen manager.

The MLA was incensed by the meal's condition and advised others against making payment. Amidst the heated exchange, eyewitnesses alleged that Gaikwad slapped the canteen operator.

Shiv Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha member Priyanka Chaturvedi admonished Gaikwad for his actions. "Meet Shah Sena’s MLA Sanjay Gaikwad. Last year, he threatened & announced 11 lakh rupees to anyone who cuts off Sh. Rahul Gandhi’s tongue. Now, the man is seen beating up a poor helpless canteen worker. But wait, no TV news outrage here since it's a BJP ally," Chaturvedi remarked in a post on X.

In September 2024, Gaikwad made headlines by offering Rs 11 lakh to anyone willing to sever Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s tongue over his comments on the reservation system.

The Buldhana police have later lodged a case against the legislator. In April of this year, Gaikwad faced backlash for making objectionable statements about the police, prompting Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to rebuke him and warn of future consequences if Gaikwad did not measure his language.

Previously, a video of Gaikwad assaulting a young man with a stick went viral in March last year, provoking criticism from the opposition, which decried the deteriorating law and order scenario in the state. Gaikwad subsequently claimed that the youth was part of an anti-social gang and had previously struck a policeman.

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