NEW DELHI: Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday condemned Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Gaikwad , who assaulted workers at the Akashwani MLA hostel canteen in Mumbai.
"Such conduct does not send right message. It impacts the image of the state legislature and as an MLA," said Fadnavis after the video of Gaikwad slapping and punching the MLA hostel canteen employee went viral.
The issue was raised in the legislative council by Shiv Sena (UBT) legislator Anil Parab. Responding to this, Fadnavis said that one can formally complain about such issues and action can be taken on this.
"A wrong message goes among people about all MLAs that there is misuse of power," Fadnavis said.
"I request you (council chairman Ram Shinde) to look into the issue of MLA accommodation. If there are issues there, then action can be taken. But assault by public representatives does not send out a right message. This is serious issue. You (Shinde) and Speaker (Rahul Narwekar) take cognisance of it to take further action accordingly," Fadnavis said.
MLA in vest assaults centeen workers
The chaos erupted after Gaikwad was allegedly served stale dal and rice in his room. The MLA, seen furious in the video, went to the canteen and forced the employee to smell a packet of dal. he then slapped and punched the employee and assaulted other staff members too.
Gaikwad, an MLA from Buldhana, said that his repeated pleas to the canteen staff to serve quality food fell on deaf ears.
Lizard and rat in kitchen, alleges Gaikwad
"I have been coming to Akashwani canteen for 30 years and staying here for 5.5 years. I have repeatedly requested that they serve good food. Eggs 15 days old, non-veg 15-20 days old, vegetables 2-4 days old. Nearly 5,000-10,000 people eat here, and everyone has the same complaint. Someone has a lizard in their food, and someone has a rat or a rope," alleged Sanjay Gaikwad.
Talking about the incident, he said that he ordered the food at 10 pm on Tuesday and complained to the staff about the quality of the food.
I have my own way of making them understand, says Gaikwad
"I ordered food at 10 PM yesterday, and after having the first bite, I felt there was something wrong. After smelling it, I found it was stale food. I went down and asked the manager who made it. I made everyone smell the food, and all of them found it stale. I explained to them again that they should make clean and good food, eating poison-like food is a health hazard. If they do not still listen, then I have my own way of making them understand."
He added that rodents roam in the kitchen and action should be taken to address the problem.
"Every year, the government receives thousands of complaints and I don't know why they are ignored, why is it not inquired? Rats and dirt are present in the kitchen. This should be checked, but no one seems to care. I request an action on the same so that people's health is not played with."
Also read | Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Gaikwad who rained blows on eatery workers justifies assault; says 'punished them for stale dal-rice'
"Such conduct does not send right message. It impacts the image of the state legislature and as an MLA," said Fadnavis after the video of Gaikwad slapping and punching the MLA hostel canteen employee went viral.
The issue was raised in the legislative council by Shiv Sena (UBT) legislator Anil Parab. Responding to this, Fadnavis said that one can formally complain about such issues and action can be taken on this.
"A wrong message goes among people about all MLAs that there is misuse of power," Fadnavis said.
"I request you (council chairman Ram Shinde) to look into the issue of MLA accommodation. If there are issues there, then action can be taken. But assault by public representatives does not send out a right message. This is serious issue. You (Shinde) and Speaker (Rahul Narwekar) take cognisance of it to take further action accordingly," Fadnavis said.
MLA Sanjay Gaikwad’s behaviour is inappropriate and creates a negative perception about all legislators among the public.
— Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) July 9, 2025
आ. संजय गायकवाड यांचे वर्तन भूषणावह नाही, यातून सगळ्या आमदारांबद्दल लोकांमध्ये चुकीची भावना जाते!
(विधानपरिषद, मुंबई | दि. 9 जुलै 2025)#Maharashtra… pic.twitter.com/Cp5JUp42wB
MLA in vest assaults centeen workers
The chaos erupted after Gaikwad was allegedly served stale dal and rice in his room. The MLA, seen furious in the video, went to the canteen and forced the employee to smell a packet of dal. he then slapped and punched the employee and assaulted other staff members too.
Gaikwad, an MLA from Buldhana, said that his repeated pleas to the canteen staff to serve quality food fell on deaf ears.
Lizard and rat in kitchen, alleges Gaikwad
"I have been coming to Akashwani canteen for 30 years and staying here for 5.5 years. I have repeatedly requested that they serve good food. Eggs 15 days old, non-veg 15-20 days old, vegetables 2-4 days old. Nearly 5,000-10,000 people eat here, and everyone has the same complaint. Someone has a lizard in their food, and someone has a rat or a rope," alleged Sanjay Gaikwad.
#WATCH | Mumbai | On reportedly slapping a canteen staff over poor food quality, Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Gaikwad says, "I have been coming to Akashwani canteen for 30 years and staying here for 5.5 years. I have repeatedly requested that they serve good food. Eggs 15 days old,… pic.twitter.com/8M331T6dNK
— ANI (@ANI) July 9, 2025
Talking about the incident, he said that he ordered the food at 10 pm on Tuesday and complained to the staff about the quality of the food.
I have my own way of making them understand, says Gaikwad
"I ordered food at 10 PM yesterday, and after having the first bite, I felt there was something wrong. After smelling it, I found it was stale food. I went down and asked the manager who made it. I made everyone smell the food, and all of them found it stale. I explained to them again that they should make clean and good food, eating poison-like food is a health hazard. If they do not still listen, then I have my own way of making them understand."
He added that rodents roam in the kitchen and action should be taken to address the problem.
"Every year, the government receives thousands of complaints and I don't know why they are ignored, why is it not inquired? Rats and dirt are present in the kitchen. This should be checked, but no one seems to care. I request an action on the same so that people's health is not played with."
Also read | Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Gaikwad who rained blows on eatery workers justifies assault; says 'punished them for stale dal-rice'
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