JOIN USMaharashtra’s water resources minister and senior BJP leader Girish Mahajan on Monday came under fire from the Opposition for carrying a revolver tucked to his waist and attending a function for distribution of educational material to differently-abled children in Jalgaon.
Mahajan represents the Jamner constituency from Jalgaon district – and is one of the vocal leaders of the BJP who while in Opposition had targeted the Congress and NCP, particularly on the irrigation scam.
The incident happened on Saturday, where the minister had attended the function and at least couple of times, he was seen on video adjusting the revolver on his waist.
The Opposition raised the issue in both the Houses of the Maharashtra legislature and demanded the resignation of the minister. “I have the licence for the last 25 years, but, one can check I have never engaged in any kind of violence…I have never even pointed the revolver to anyone… It is merely for self defence,” Mahajan said, admitting that the weapon was visible. However, he said: “I was wearing a new trousers…it did not had a pocket (for the revolver) and hence it was visible…I admit, it was wrong.”
“What is the need for carrying the revolver that to in a school of differently-abled kids. What message should have gone to the children? Moreover, if the ministers feel unsafe what about the common people,” former finance minister and senior NCP leader Jayant Patil told reporters. “What is this? A minister carries a revolver to a function of kids,” former deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar said.
However, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis came to the defence of Mahajan. the licensed arms were meant for carrying though not allowed to be shown or used while in public. "There was no intention to create any scare or threaten anyone. And there is absolutely nothing illegal in carrying a licensed arm," Fadnavis said while making a statement in the House after the Opposition created a ruckus and staged walkout in protest over the incident.
However, Fadnavis agreed with Speaker Haribhau Bagade's directives that no minister should openly use or expose weapon in the public while carrying.
"We will issue proper directives accordingly so that ministers or public representative do not exposing their arms while in public," he said.