Shiv Sena MLA gets reward for ‘chopping off Rahul Gandhi’s tongue’ | India News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: An FIR has been filed against Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Gaikwad for making inflammatory remarks against Congress MP and Lok Sabha opposition leader Rahul Gandhi. Gaikwad is said to have offered a reward of Rs 11 lakh to anyone who “cuts out the tongue of Gandhi”.
The case was registered with the Buldana City Police Station under sections 351(2), 351(4), 192 and 351(3) of the Bombay Marine and Port Police Act (BNS).
The Buldhana MLA had courted controversy when he offered a reward of Rs 11 lakh to anyone who would “cut off” Gandhi’s tongue over remarks the Congress leader made during his recent visit to the United States on India’s reservation system. Gaikwad, in his statements, accused Gandhi of revealing “the true face of the Congress” and making false claims about the BJP’s stand on the Constitution and reservations.
Gaikwad said, “The kind of statement Congress leader Rahul Gandhi made has revealed the true face of the Congress. In the Lok Sabha elections, they took votes by spreading lies that the Constitution is in danger, that the BJP will change the Constitution, and today in America he said that the reservation given by Baba Saheb Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar… they will end the reservation. Such words came out of his mouth. Whoever cuts his tongue, I will give him Rs 11 lakh.”

The MLA further attacked Gandhi, alleging that his remarks during the US trip showed the Congress’ opposition to the reservation system. Gaikwad said, “When he was abroad, Rahul Gandhi said that he wanted to finish the reservation system in India. This has exposed the true face of the Congress. I will reward anyone who cuts out Rahul Gandhi’s tongue with Rs 11 lakh.”
Gaikwad’s remarks have been widely condemned, with political leaders from various parties distancing themselves from the comments. Maharashtra BJP President Chandrashekar Bawankule slammed Gaikwad’s remarks, though he pointed to historic opposition to reservations by some Congress leaders. “I will not support or endorse Gaikwad’s remarks. However, we should not forget that the first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, had opposed reservations as it would affect progress.”
Rahul Gandhi’s statements during his US trip, in which he spoke about continuing reservations, have sparked much debate. Responding to a question on reservations, Gandhi said, “We will consider doing away with reservations if India is a fair place. And India is not a fair place.”
Gandhi also criticized the lack of representation of marginalized communities in leadership roles, saying, “Go through the list of every single business leader in India. Show me the tribal name. Show me the Dalit name. Show me the OBC name. Out of the top 200, I think there is one OBC. They are 50% of India. But we are not treating the symptom.”