In a shocking and disturbing incident from Mumbai, Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Gaikwad has landed in the spotlight again—but for all the wrong reasons. A video has gone viral showing him slapping, punching, and violently attacking a canteen worker inside the MLA hostel in Churchgate. His reason? He claimed the dal served in his thali was not just stale—but rotten.
In the footage, Gaikwad can be seen shouting at the canteen staff, making him smell the food, and then slapping and punching him so badly that the man fell to the ground. The canteen worker, identified as Yogesh Kutran, stood helpless as the elected leader unleashed his fury.
The MLA later admitted to the assault and stood by it proudly. “I am not a Gandhian,” he said while speaking to media. “I am a warrior. I don’t regret what I did. I was taught this by Balasaheb Thackeray. I’ll do it again if needed.” His words have drawn widespread criticism, both from political opponents and the public.
Gaikwad, who represents Buldhana, was wearing a towel and had not even changed his clothes when he stormed into the canteen to confront staff. He accused them of regularly serving stale food and said he even experienced uneasiness and stomach cramps after taking just a few bites. “I threw up. That dal was not just old—it was dangerous. It could have killed someone,” he told reporters.
While many customers at the canteen did agree that food quality often needs improvement, they were quick to condemn the violent behaviour. “Yes, the food is not always fresh. But beating a man like that? That’s not acceptable,” said one of the regular diners.
Opposition leaders, including Rajya Sabha MP Priyanka Chaturvedi, slammed Gaikwad’s actions. She shared the video on social media and criticised the silence of national TV channels, saying, “Had this been someone from the Opposition, there would have been 24×7 outrage.”
This isn’t the first time Sanjay Gaikwad has made headlines for aggressive remarks or actions. Just last year, he offered an outrageous ₹11 lakh bounty for anyone who would cut off Rahul Gandhi’s tongue. His latest actions are now being seen as part of a worrying pattern of aggression and misuse of power.
Meet Shah Sena’s MLA Sanjay Gaikwad. Last year he had threatened&announced 11 lakh rupees to anyone who cuts off Sh. Rahul Gandhi’s tongue. Now the man is seen beating up a poor helpless canteen worker. But wait no news TV outrage here since its a BJP ally pic.twitter.com/XVwnEzJFSU
— Priyanka Chaturvedi(@priyankac19) July 9, 2025
This incident has come at a sensitive time in Maharashtra, where language tensions between Marathi and Hindi speakers are already running high. In fact, just a day before, a protest march took place in Mira-Bhayandar to defend Marathi pride after a shopkeeper was attacked for refusing to speak in Marathi.
Many now fear that such acts of violence by public representatives will only add fuel to the growing unrest.
The canteen staff has received support from customers and civil society alike. While the authorities are yet to announce any legal action, pressure is mounting. People are demanding accountability, not just for this incident but for a larger change in the way those in power treat common workers.
As the video continues to circulate on social media, the public’s anger is growing. The question remains: Will there be consequences for such blatant abuse of power, or will this too be brushed under the carpet?
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