Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024: 'Mahila hoon, maal nahi,' Shaina N C slams Arvind Sawant over controversial statement

Mumbai: In what sparked off a controversy in poll-bound Maharashtra, Arvind Sawant put Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) in an embarrassing position after he described Shiv Sena contestant and fashion designer Shaina NC as an “imported maal”.

However, Shaina NC hit back saying - “mahila hoon, maal nahi”.

The Mumbai Police has filed an FIR under section 79 and section 356 (2) of BNS against Sawant after the Shiv Sena women wing staged a mammoth protest outside the Nagpada police station.

The daughter of former Mumbai Sheriff Nana Chudasama, who was the founder of Giants International and granddaughter of former Mumbai Police Commissioner Mansinh Chudasama, Shaina is married to businessman Manish Munot.

The sexist remarks have snowballed into a major political issue.

Sawant, on the other hand, is a three-time Mumbai South MP and the chief spokesperson of Shiv Sena (UBT).

The female leader, who was with the BJP and interested in contesting the Worli seat against sitting MLA Aaditya Thackeray, joined the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and was fielded from Mumbadevi. It was this move that led to Sawant calling her imported 'maal.'

From Mumbadevi, Shaina NC is pitted against Amin Patel, the three-time sitting Congress MLA.

“Look at her condition. She was in the BJP all her life and now she has gone to another party. Imported 'maal' does not work here, only original 'maal' works here…and we have that,” Sawant said even as Patel was smiling.

Hitting out hard, Shaina NC said: “This is the same Arvind Sawant for whom we had campaigned in 2014 and 2019. Look at his thinking when he calls a woman 'maal' (item). I would like to tell him that this same voter will make him 'behaal' in the elections.”

However, later Sawant said: “Shaina NC wants to set a narrative right now. You must show the full quote of what I said. She is not residing in that assembly. Never in the political life of 55 years... modesty of a woman is always honoured by me,” said Sawant, a former union minister.

Meanwhile, a group of Shiv Sena women wing workers raised slogans and protested against Sawant at the Nagpada police station.

Maharashtra Legislative Council’s Deputy Chairperson Dr Neelam Gorhe requested the Election Commission to take cognisance of Sawant’s comments and take action against him.

The Maha Yuti dispensation has slammed Sawant for his remarks.

“Derogatory comments against women have no place in our society, especially in Maharashtra, where we proudly celebrate and honour our Ladki Bahins. We celebrate our inspiring women icons and follow their footsteps in empowering women and over the past two and a half years, we have continued to uplift and recognize their contributions,” deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar said.

Reacting sharply, Maharashtra chief minister Eknath Shinde, said: "Had Balasaheb (Thackeray) been alive, he would have smashed his face."

Assembly Elections 2024 | The Maharashtra Assembly polls will take place against the backdrop of a fractured political landscape in the western state where the Shiv Sena and NCP will be going up against the Uddhav Thackeray and Sharad Pawar factions, even as the BJP and Congress try to make their mark. Meanwhile, in Jharkhand, the JMM faces a new challenge after Hemant Soren's recent arrest and Champai, a longstanding party member, joining the BJP. The Haryana election resulted in a shock loss for Congress, which was looking to galvanize on the Lok Sabha poll performance, while J&K also saw the grand old party eventually stepping away from the cabinet, with Omar Abdullah's JKNC forming government. It remains to be seen if the upcoming polls help BJP cement its position further or provide a fillip to I.N.D.I.A. Check live updates and track the latest coverage, live news, in-depth opinions, and analyses only on Deccan Herald.

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