Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024: Sanjay Raut's brother Sunil faces trouble over sexist remarks

Mumbai: After Shiv Sena (UBT)’s Arvind Sawant, Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Raut’s brother Sunil Raut has been on the receiving end of severe criticism because of sexist remarks.

Sunil Raut is seeking re-election from Vikhroli and is facing Suvarna Karanje of Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena.

"When preparations for the Assembly polls began, I was curious to know who would be my rival in Vikhroli. Initially, no one dared to stand against me. But a ‘Bali ka bakra’ (scapegoat) has been fielded. This scapegoat will be slaughtered on November 20,” he said.

However, Karanje had lodged a complaint at the Vikhroli police station, based on which the case against Sunil Raut has been registered.

The National Commission for Women has strongly reacted to the statement.

“Such statements demonstrate a blatant disrespect for women’s rights and dignity. NCW has taken suo motu cognisance in this matter and has directed the Mumbai Police to take immediate and stringent action on the FIR registered in connection with this misconduct,” the NCW said.

“Today, when the country is moving towards becoming a developed nation under the leadership of women, such a low mentality towards women is indecent,” NCW Chairperson Dr Vijaya Rahatkar said.

Shiv Sena’s Shaina NC, who was described as “imported male” by Arvind Sawant which was defended by Sanjay Raut, slammed Sunil Raut.

“This is the most regressive comment coming from Sunil Raut, on one hand, they call us 'bakri' and use the word 'maal'. Look at the mind and thought process. On one hand, we have a PM who respects women...you have a CM who has empowered us with 'Ladki Bahin' scheme and on the other hand we have 'Maha Vinas Aghadi' where you have somebody referring to us as objects...the time has come for women of Maharashtra to wake up against this insensitive commentary...Congress is absolutely silent...we will give a befitting answer on 20th November,” she said.

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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