Saamana Editorial Slams Government Over MLA's beaten on Canteen Staff

(Saamana Editorial) The Saamana editorial has criticized the government over the assault by Sanjay Gaikwad. It stated, 'The rule of law no longer exists in Maharashtra. An MLA, Sanjay Gaikwad, who supports Fadnavis's government, brutally assaulted canteen staff at the MLA residence, which is shocking. MLA Gaikwad is one of the 'fifty boxes' MLAs. Yet, he stays at the MLA residence. On Tuesday night, the MLA ordered a simple 'menu' of dal rice and chapati to his room from the canteen. He realized that the food was not edible. Hundreds of people might have tasted that food since morning in the canteen, but it did not suit the MLA's palate. He claimed the dal was spoiled and had a smell. Due to government subsidy, meals are available cheaply at the MLA residence canteen, benefiting many, including other MLAs, political workers, and government employees. But the MLA's 'olfactory senses' are sharper and his tongue spicier than others. Therefore, claiming the canteen food was bad and smelly, the MLA furiously descended in an open state, wearing only a vest and towel, into the canteen. He brutally attacked the poor, weak waiters in the canteen, kicking and abusing them. The MLA, having consumed the tonic of fifty boxes, was too powerful for the poor waiters to withstand. During this scuffle, there was a possibility that the loosely tied dirty towel around the MLA's waist might have come off, forcing Maharashtra to witness an unwanted scene. The way MLA Gaikwad was punching the poor employee like a 'boxer,' a punch could have proven fatal in such an attack. Therefore, MLA Gaikwad should have been charged under sections for attempted murder, public assault, abuse, and threats. Action will be taken against the canteen, but shouldn't the Home Minister take seriously the fact that a ruling party MLA attempts murder of an employee in a place under the legislature's jurisdiction? But Devendra Fadnavis said, 'This assault is not right. This is a matter under the Speaker's authority. They should decide,' and evaded the issue. The Chief Minister says the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly will make a decision. Can the current Speaker or President make a decision without consulting the Chief Minister? The Chief Minister expects a decision from those who make decisions under pressure regarding MLA disqualification and from those who read out the decision document sent from Delhi.'

'Those who are not ready to make a decision regarding the Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly and evade by giving flimsy answers, how will they take action against rioting legislators? Crores of rupees collected to give a 'gift' to the Chairman of the Legislature's Estimate Committee were seized at the Dhule rest house. The Speaker of the Assembly also has to make a decision on that. These crimes, which tarnish the image of Maharashtra, occurred in the legislature and the criminals are at large. How can this be called the rule of law?'

Along with this, he further said, 'If the food was bad, a complaint could have been made and action taken against those responsible, but what bravery did the MLA show by beating poor, helpless employees? If MLA Gaikwad is citing Shiv Sena chief Balasaheb Thackeray on this issue, then it is wrong. MLA Gaikwad says that Shiv Sena chief taught us to rise against injustice, etc. They did not understand Balasaheb. Their 'boss' is in Delhi and Thane, so they bullied a weaker person. If these MLAs had barged into the minister's house or the Speaker-President's chamber with this substandard food on towel-vest, then it would have been a fight against injustice. However, they showed arrogance of power and fifty boxes by beating a poor employee. Again, this arrogance is being tolerated by Chief Minister Fadnavis and the Speaker of the Assembly. The government's stomach has become a warehouse for swallowing supporters' crimes. In three months, 700 farmers have committed suicide in Maharashtra. Roads made by contractors have washed away in the rain. The bridge over Indrayani has collapsed. Students have to go to school sitting on 'tires' through the river. Students in ashram schools are getting substandard food. Hindi has been imposed on Maharashtra. The Marathi people are troubled. Despite all this, MLA Gaikwad does not rise and fight against the injustice on the people. When he got 'dal' a little thin, he ran wildly in a bare state and brutally attacked the poor employee there. This is not the rule of law.' This is stated in the editorial of Saamana.