Mumbai Police have initiated proceedings to register a case against Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Gaikwad after a video surfaced showing him allegedly slapping and punching a canteen staffer at the Maharashtra legislature’s Akashvani MLA Hostel.According to ANI, the Marine Drive police station took suo motu cognisance of the incident after the video went viral on social media and is in the process of registering a case.In the video, Gaikwad is seen berating the staff over poor food quality, making multiple people, including the canteen contractor, smell a packet of dal before slapping and punching him. The footage has triggered widespread outrage and calls for accountability.The incident drew swift condemnation from both government and opposition leaders. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said such behaviour sends a “wrong message” about elected representatives misusing their power and instructed the police to act without waiting for a formal complaint.Deputy Chief Minister and Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde said he had reprimanded Gaikwad over his conduct. “I told him he should have resorted to legal measures like lodging a complaint. What he did was wrong. It cannot be justified, even if he was upset about the food,” Shinde said.Earlier, Minister of State for Home Yogesh Kadam had said no action could be taken against Gaikwad in the absence of a complaint. However, the police later acted on their own.Meanwhile, the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) suspended the licence of the canteen contractor following an inspection that found violations of food safety norms.Unapologetic about his actions, Gaikwad defended himself while speaking to reporters. “I have been staying in the MLA hostel for six years. Lizards and rats were found in the food earlier as well,” he said.He further invoked Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray’s legacy to justify his aggression. “If someone doesn’t understand the language of democracy, this is my language. I am a warrior,” Gaikwad said, asserting that he would repeat the act if required.
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