Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Gaikwad, aligned with Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s faction, is once again at the center of controversy after a video emerged showing him punching a canteen worker at the Akashvani MLA hostel in Mumbai. The incident occurred Tuesday night during the ongoing monsoon session of the Maharashtra Legislature.
As a video of the assault went viral and led to an outrage, CM Fadnavis said such a conduct does not behove anyone and sends out a wrong message about all legislators that they indulge in misuse of power.
In the video, Gaikwad is seen storming into the canteen, scolding the manager, forcing him to smell stale dal and rice, and striking the staff member seated at the billing counter.
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi shared the video on X.
According to a PTIN report, Gaikwad, an MLA from Buldhana, defended his conduct, saying he was compelled to act in “Shiv Sena style” after repeated complaints about poor food quality went unheard. "I have no regret about my actions," he reportedly told a regional news channel.
In the video, Gaikwad is seen berating the canteen operator, refusing to pay the bill, and slapping the staff member multiple times at the billing counter, causing the man to fall to the ground. The incident unfolded after Gaikwad ordered dinner at the MLA hostel and allegedly received stale, foul-smelling dal and rice. He then stormed into the canteen, confronted the manager, and allegedly urged others not to pay either.
“This time the food was absolutely unacceptable. I had complained two or three times earlier, but there was no action. Thousands of people visit the MLA hostel during the legislature session hoping for quality food, but the contractor has never improved,” Gaikwad said.
The MLA claimed that despite numerous complaints, the same contractor continues to be awarded the contract. He alleged that Food and Drug Administration Minister Narhari Zirwal had sent food samples for testing three months ago but had yet to receive the results.
“I’m a human being. When no one listens, what should one do? Should I die? I had to respond in Shiv Sena style because all other efforts were ineffective,” he said. “They are playing with people’s lives.”
This isn’t the first time Gaikwad has drawn attention for his aggressive behavior. In February last year, another video showed him using a police baton to beat a group of men during a Shiv Jayanti celebration, claiming they had threatened women.
Earlier in September, Gaikwad stirred national outrage by announcing a ₹11 lakh reward for anyone who would "chop off" Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s tongue over remarks related to scrapping the reservation system.
The incident was raised in the Legislative Council by Shiv Sena (UBT) MLC Anil Parab, who said Gaikwad's actions reflected a misuse of power and embarrassed the government.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis condemned the incident, stating that such conduct was unbecoming of a public representative and tarnished the image of the state legislature.
Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who heads the Shiv Sena, also termed his party leader's actions as "inappropriate". “I have told Sanjay Gaikwad that his actions were inappropriate. If something is wrong, legal action is always an option, but assaulting someone is unacceptable,” he said.
Speaking in the House, Fadnavis said, “If there is any issue regarding the food, a formal complaint can be made, and action can be taken on it. But such behaviour sends out a wrong message to the public, suggesting misuse of power by all MLAs.”
He further urged Council Chairman Ram Shinde to look into the matter of MLA accommodation, suggesting that any genuine grievances should be addressed through appropriate channels. “But assault by public representatives does not send out the right message. This is a serious issue,” Fadnavis said, requesting both Shinde and Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar to take cognisance of the incident and initiate suitable action.
While distancing himself from Gaikwad's actions, NCP MLC Amol Mitkari, from an ally party in the ruling coalition said the issue of food quality at the MLA hostel was genuine and needed urgent redressal.