Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
A publisher on Thursday alleged that Sanjay Gaikwad, an MLA from the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena in Maharashtra, issued death threats and hurled verbal abuse over a book on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, first published 38 years ago.
The controversy started after an audio clip went viral on social media, in which Gaikwad purportedly was heard using offensive language and threatening Kolhapur-based publisher Prashant Ambi.
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Gaikwad later told reporters that the voice in the clip was indeed his, but it had been “edited and distorted”.
The MLA referred to the book titled ‘Shivaji Kon Hota’ (Who was Shivaji), written by CPI leader Govind Pansare and originally published in 1988.
Published by Lokvangmay Griha, it is a landmark, widely read Marathi book highlighting Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj as a secular, people’s king rather than just a Hindu ruler of the 17th century. The book has sold millions of copies and has seen over 75 editions.
According to Ambi, the MLA called him and spoke for nine minutes during which he objected to the title of the book.
The book’s publisher claimed that during the call, Gaikwad threatened to “chop off his tongue,” enter his home to assault him, and warned, “you will also meet Pansare.”
Pansare was shot dead during a morning walk in Kolhapur in 2015.
After the controversy, Ambi submitted a written complaint to the Rajarampuri police station in Kolhapur district, claiming Gaikwad called him past midnight on April 22 and used “highly obscene and abusive language” during the conversation. He also sought police protection.
Ambi, who has been distributing the book across Maharashtra at a nominal amount, alleged that the legislator objected to the wording of the book’s title (which is without honorifics such as “Chhatrapati” and “Maharaj”) and confronted him over it.
According to the complaint, the caller allegedly threatened to assault Ambi, warned of entering his residence, and made remarks about causing physical harm, including threats to his life.
The publisher claimed derogatory references were made during the conversation, which caused mental distress to him and his family members.
The complainant said his wife was present at the time of the call and heard parts of the conversation, adding the incident has created a sense of fear and insecurity in his household.
Ambi, in his compliant, urged police to register a case against Gaikwad under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including sections related to criminal intimidation and use of abusive language.
He further expressed apprehension that he and his family could face harm from the legislator or his associates and sought immediate police protection.
The Opposition Congress said the ruling coalition MLA’s threat was “open hooliganism” and appealed to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to order an inquiry into the matter.
The Shiv Sena MLA from Buldhana district in the Vidarbha region claimed Ambi was arrogant and badmouthed him during the conversation.
“His tongue needs to be ripped off. We cannot read such books that insult Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. This book should be destroyed,” Gaikwad insisted.
Gaikwad said his wife got the book on Tuesday, after which he read it. He said he had called the publisher, adding the viral clip had been “edited and distorted”.
The legislator said he had objected to “disrespectful” reference to the 17th-century Maratha warrior king in the book.
Maharashtra minister and BJP leader Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil said Gaikwad shouldn’t dig into past controversies.
The Shiv Sena MLA is no stranger to controversies. In 2024, he flaunted a tiger tooth worn around his neck and claimed that he had hunted the big cat in 1987.
Last year, Gaikwad had slapped a canteen staff member allegedly for offering stale food at the MLA hostel in south Mumbai.
Last month, the ruling Shiv Sena’s lawmaker claimed he gave up “Rs 35 crore in commission” for the welfare of his party workers and supporters, due to which many of them have moved from riding bicycles to driving Toyota Fortuners.
In 2024, Gaikwad had declared a Rs 11 lakh reward to anyone who “slashed Rahul Gandhi’s tongue and presented it to him” following the Congress leader’s statements about reservations. He later apologised.
The MLA also made news last year over the tiger claws he wore within a locket around his neck. It was alleged that Gaikwad had participated in a tiger hunt in 1987.
Gaikwad had also said that the police department is so corrupt that if they seize ‘booty’ worth Rs 50 lakh, only Rs 50,000 is brought on record. He had called the Maharashtra Police the “most incompetent department.”
On one occasion, he had asked a policeman to wash his car. When asked why, he replied that the policeman had vomited inside the vehicle.
Maharashtra Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal accused Gaikwad of bringing disrepute to Buldhana district through repeated acts of misconduct.
In a post on X, Sapkal said Gaikwad, who claims to be a descendant of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, has used abusive language unbecoming of a public representative.
“Looking at the level of his language and abuses, he does not deserve to even take Shivaji Maharaj’s name,” Sapkal said, alleging that such behaviour tarnishes Maharashtra’s cultural and progressive values.
The Congress leader demanded that the state government immediately provide security to Ambi and that CM Fadnavis order an inquiry into the matter.
– Ends
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SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
