A shocking video from Mumbai’s Akashvani MLA Hostel has taken the internet by storm, showing Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Gaikwad slapping and punching a canteen worker. The incident, which happened on Tuesday night, July 8, 2025, has sparked widespread anger and raised questions about the behavior of elected leaders.
The trouble began when Gaikwad, a lawmaker from Buldhana, ordered dinner from the hostel canteen. He claims the dal (lentils) served to him was stale and smelled bad. Furious, he went to the canteen, confronted the staff, and demanded to know who prepared the food. In the viral video, Gaikwad is seen yelling at the canteen worker, refusing to pay the bill, and then physically attacking him. The worker, caught off guard, tried to apologize, but Gaikwad continued the assault, even as others watched silently.
“I ate a bit of the dal and felt sick. It was unfit to eat,” Gaikwad told reporters later. He said he had complained about the canteen’s food quality several times before, but nothing changed. “I’m a public representative, and I won’t stay quiet when people are served bad food. This canteen feeds workers, officials, and others. They can’t play with our health,” he added, defending his actions.
Gaikwad’s outburst has drawn sharp criticism. Priyanka Chaturvedi, a Shiv Sena (UBT) MP, shared the video on social media, calling Gaikwad’s behavior unacceptable. “This MLA has a history of violence and threats. Last year, he offered ₹11 lakh to anyone who would harm Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. Now, he’s attacking a helpless canteen worker. Where’s the outrage?” she wrote. Other leaders, like Sanjay Raut, also slammed Gaikwad, saying, “If the food was bad, raise it in the Assembly. Beating a poor worker is not the solution.”
Gaikwad, however, remains unapologetic. “I have no regrets. If someone serves me poison, I won’t bow down. I’ll respond in my own style,” he said, citing the teachings of Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray. He also claimed the canteen has a history of serving spoiled food, including dal that’s days old. Gaikwad plans to bring up the issue in the ongoing Maharashtra Assembly session.
This isn’t Gaikwad’s first brush with controversy. In 2024, he made headlines for offering a reward to harm Rahul Gandhi over comments on reservations. In 2021, he stirred trouble by saying he wanted to “shove the coronavirus” down a rival politician’s throat. These incidents have painted him as a fiery and divisive figure.
The video has left many Indians shocked, with social media buzzing about the misuse of power. “How can an MLA act like this? What example is he setting?” asked one user. Others pointed out that the canteen worker, a low-wage employee, was an easy target for Gaikwad’s anger. “If the food was bad, complain to the authorities. Why attack a worker?” another user wrote.
The incident has also raised bigger questions about food quality in government-run canteens and the behavior of elected officials. While Gaikwad insists he was standing up for the public, critics argue his actions were an abuse of power. As the debate rages on, many are calling for action against Gaikwad and better oversight of canteen services.
The Maharashtra government has not yet commented officially, but all eyes are on the Assembly to see how this issue unfolds. For now, the viral video serves as a stark reminder of the need for accountability, both in food safety and in the conduct of those in power.
Last Updated on: Wednesday, July 9, 2025 12:41 pm by M.Deepak Reddy | Published by: M.Deepak Reddy on Wednesday, July 9, 2025 12:41 pm | News Categories: Politics, India, Trending
About The Author
