MUMBAI: Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Gaikwad has stirred controversy once again after a video surfaced showing him assaulting workers at the Akashwani MLA hostel canteen in Colaba, Mumbai. The incident occurred after Gaikwad allegedly received stale dal and rice served to his room.In the viral video, Gaikwad — seen wearing a vest — is shown slapping a canteen worker repeatedly after forcing him to smell the food. He is also seen punching and pushing other staff members, while carrying a packet of the dal. Although the canteen workers are seen apologising and admitting that the food was stale, the MLA continues the physical assault.Speaking to the media, Gaikwad said, “I always eat at home. I had ordered dal and rice in my room. I ate a small portion and felt bad. When I had the second morsel, I puked.” He added that he confronted the canteen staff, who admitted the food was unfit to eat.
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“They are playing with people’s lives by serving stale food,” he said, justifying his actions by citing the teachings of Balasaheb Thackeray. “I’m an MLA but I’m also a fighter,” he remarked.Gaikwad further alleged that the canteen contractor has a history of serving poor-quality food, claiming, “They serve dal that is four days old and chicken that is over 10 days old. Despite repeated complaints, they did not listen, so I had to answer them in my own style.” He added that he would raise the issue with the FDA authorities and in the legislative assembly.Also read: ‘Doesn’t send right message’: Devendra Fadnavis slams Sena MLA’s ‘inappropriate’ behaviourThis is not the first time the Buldhana MLA has drawn criticism. Just last week, amid the Hindi imposition row, Gaikwad stirred a debate by rhetorically asking if Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and others were “stupid” for learning multiple languages. In September 2024, he offered a reward of Rs 11 lakh to anyone who would chop off Congress MP Rahul Gandhi’s tongue over remarks on the reservation system.In April 2021, Gaikwad had also made headlines for saying he wanted to “shove the coronavirus down Devendra Fadnavis’ throat”, accusing the then-opposition leader of politicising the pandemic. The statement had triggered a violent clash between Sena and BJP workers in Buldhana.
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