Shiv Sena MLA Announces Reward for Cutting Off Rahul Gandhi's Tongue; Legal Action Follows

Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Gaikwad has stirred controversy by offering Rs 11 lakh to anyone who cuts off Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's tongue. This announcement came after Gandhi's remarks on abolishing the reservation system. Following the uproar, police registered a case against Gaikwad on Monday night.

During his recent visit to the US, Rahul Gandhi discussed ending reservations, which Gaikwad claims reveals the Congress party's true intentions. "While he was abroad, Rahul Gandhi said that he wanted to finish off the reservation system in India. This has exposed the true face of the Congress," Gaikwad told reporters before announcing the reward.

Political Reactions and Legal Actions

The remarks have ignited a political storm, with calls for action against Gaikwad. State Congress president Nana Patole demanded Chief Minister Eknath Shinde clarify his stance and take legal action. "Eknath Shinde should clarify his stand over Gaikwads remarks. There should be legal action, otherwise, Congress party workers will take some decisive action against Gaikwad," Patole said.

Atul Londhe, spokesperson for Maharashtra Congress, condemned Gaikwad's comments, stating, "Sanjay Gaikwad does not deserve to live in society and politics. We want to see whether Maharashtra Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis invokes charges of culpable homicide against Gaikwad."

Shiv Sena and BJP Responses

As the controversy grew, Shiv Sena's ally BJP distanced itself from Gaikwad's statements. State BJP president Chandrashekar Bawankule remarked, "I will not support or endorse Gaikwads comments. However, we cannot forget that the first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru had opposed reservations saying it would affect the progress."

BJP leader Bawankule also mentioned past comments by Rajiv Gandhi on reservations: "Rajiv Gandhi had said giving reservations means supporting idiots. Now Rahul Gandhi says he would end reservations."

Gaikwad's Controversial Past

Gaikwad is no stranger to controversies. Last month, a video showing a policeman washing his car went viral. Gaikwad explained that the officer cleaned the vehicle voluntarily after vomiting inside it. In February, he claimed to have hunted a tiger in 1987 and wore its tooth around his neck. The state Forest department later sent the tooth for forensic identification and charged him under the Wildlife Protection Act.

A case was registered against Gaikwad under Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita section 351 2 and other relevant sections, according to a Buldhana Police official on Monday night.

Earlier in the day, Congress workers staged a sit-in protest at Buldhana city police station demanding action against Gaikwad for his inflammatory remarks.

Rahul Gandhi has been criticised by various political figures for his comments on reservations. "Gandhi used to show the Constitution book and spread a fake narrative that the BJP would change it. But it is the Congress that plans to take the country back by 400 years," Gaikwad said.

Gaikwad also mentioned historical electoral defeats of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar by Congress as evidence of their opposition to reservations: "The Congress had defeated Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar in elections."

The situation remains tense as political parties continue to respond to both Gandhi's and Gaikwad's statements.