Shiv Sena MLA Offers Rs 11 Lakh ‘Reward’ For ‘Chopping Off Rahul Gandhi’s Tongue’, BJP Responds

After Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Gaikwad offered a Rs 11 lakh 'reward' for chopping off Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi's tongue, the BJP distanced itself from the statement. The Congress demanded legal action.

In a highly controversial statement, Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Gaikwad has announced a reward of Rs 11 lakh to anyone who chops off Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's tongue, following Rahul’s remarks on scrapping the reservation system. Maharashtra BJP president Chandrashekar Bawankule swiftly distanced himself from the remarks, stating that he does not support the MLA's extreme stance. The BJP is a constituent of the Shiv Sena-led government in Maharashtra.

“While he was abroad, Rahul said that he wants to finish off the reservation system in India. This has exposed the true face of the Congress,” Sanjay said to reporters before announcing his reward, as quoted by news agency PTI. “I will reward anyone who cuts off Rahul’s tongue with Rs 11 lakh,” he added.

Sanjay Gaikwad, the MLA from Buldhana in the Vidarbha region, criticised Rahul for comments made during his recent US visit, claiming that Rahul's stance reflects a mindset opposed to reservations. The Shiv Sena leader further alleged that the Congress had defeated Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar in elections and accused the party of betraying the people.

“Communities like Marathas, Dhangars, and OBCs are fighting for reservation, but before that, Rahul is talking about ending its benefits,” Sanjay remarked, calling Rahul’s comments "the biggest treachery of the people." He also accused Rahul of spreading misinformation about the BJP's intentions to alter the Constitution, stating that it is the Congress that seeks to "take the country back by 400 years."

Following the remarks, an FIR was registered against the Shiv Sena MLA under sections 351(2), 351(4), 192, and 351(3) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at Buldana City Police Station, news agency ANI reported.

BJP Distances Itself From Shiv Sena MLA's Remarks On Rahul Gandhi, Congress Demands Legal Action

Chandrashekar Bawankule, the BJP’s state president, distanced himself from Sanjay's inflammatory statement. “I will not support or endorse Sanjay's comments,” Bawankule said, while also reminding the public of past remarks by Congress leaders opposing reservations. “We cannot forget that the first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru opposed reservations, saying it would affect progress. Rajiv Gandhi had said giving reservations means supporting idiots. Now Rahul says he would end reservations,” he noted. 

Bawankule indicated that the BJP will work to sensitise the Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), and Other Backward Classes (OBCs) about the Congress leaders' remarks, urging Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange to consider these points.

In response, Maharashtra Congress spokesperson Atul Londhe condemned Sanjay's comments, saying, "Sanjay does not deserve to live in society and politics." Atul also called on Maharashtra Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis to take legal action, "We want to see whether Maharashtra Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis invokes charges of culpable homicide against Gaikwad". Congress MLC Bhai Jagtap also expressed his disapproval, stating, “I condemn such people and comments. These people have spoiled the politics of the state.”

Sanjay Gaikwad has been involved in previous controversies. Last month, a video surfaced showing a policeman washing the Shiv Sena MLA’s car, which sparked criticism on social media. Sanjay later explained that the policeman cleaned the vehicle voluntarily after vomiting inside it. Earlier this year, Sanjay also claimed that he had hunted a tiger in 1987 and had been wearing its tooth around his neck. This led the state Forest Department to send the tooth for forensic identification and charge him under the Wildlife Protection Act.