MUMBAI, July 9 — Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Gaikwad is once again at the centre of controversy after he was caught on camera slapping a canteen staffer at the MLA hostel in Mumbai late Tuesday night, allegedly over being served stale food. The video, which quickly went viral on social media, shows the Buldhana legislator berating the staff, refusing to pay the bill, and striking a man seated at the billing counter.
The incident took place at the Akashvani MLA hostel, where Gaikwad had ordered dinner. According to sources, the dal and rice delivered to his room were stale and foul-smelling. Enraged, the MLA stormed into the canteen, confronted the staff, and insisted that no one should pay for such food.
“I had complained about the poor quality of food two or three times earlier. This time, the food was absolutely unacceptable. I will raise this issue in the ongoing legislature session,” Gaikwad told a regional news channel after the incident.
However, his behaviour drew sharp criticism from opposition leaders, including Shiv Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha MP Priyanka Chaturvedi. “Meet Shah Sena’s MLA Sanjay Gaikwad. Last year he threatened & announced ₹11 lakh to anyone who cuts off Rahul Gandhi’s tongue. Now he’s seen beating up a poor helpless canteen worker. But no TV outrage since it’s a BJP ally,” she posted on X (formerly Twitter).
Gaikwad, a member of the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena faction, has a history of provocative statements and violent conduct. In September 2024, he had publicly offered ₹11 lakh to anyone who would “cut off” Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s tongue over remarks on the reservation system. The Buldhana police subsequently registered a case against him.
In April 2025, Gaikwad made derogatory remarks about the police, prompting rebuke from Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who warned the MLA of strict action for future misconduct. In March 2024, another video had surfaced showing Gaikwad thrashing a youth with a stick. At the time, the MLA claimed the individual belonged to an anti-social gang and had attacked a policeman.
Despite repeated controversies, Gaikwad remains unapologetic. This latest incident, however, has sparked fresh debate over unchecked political misconduct and the normalisation of violence by public representatives.
Police have yet to announce whether an FIR will be registered in the canteen assault case.
