Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Gaikwad threatens to cut publisher's tongue over 38-year-old book on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj

Sanjay Gaikwad, a an MLA and Shiv Sena leader, allegedly threatened a book publisher over him 'disrespecting' Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, through a book published 38 years ago.

A Kolhapur-based publisher, Prashant Ambi, on Thursday alleged of the threat and shared an audio clip in which Gaikwad is heard abusing.

Gaikwad told reporters that it was his voice in the clip.

The book titled Shivaji Kon Hota (Who was Shivaji) was written by late CPI leader and rationalist Govind Pansare. It was first published in 1988 by Lokvangmay Griha.

It is a landmark piece of Marathi literature, which is widely read. It highlights Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj as a secular, people's king rather than a Hindu king. It has sold over millions of copies and has over 75 editions.

According to Ambi, Gaikwad called him post midnight and talked for about nine minutes, objecting to the book’s title, and used abusive language.

Further, Ambi alleged that Gaikwad threatened to chop off his tongue and enter his house and assault him, adding, “You will also meet Pansare.”

Pansare was shot dead while he was on a morning walk in Kolhapur in 2015.

The Congress said the MLA’s threat was "open hooliganism" and appealed to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to order an inquiry into the matter.

Meanwhile, the Buldhana district MLA claimed Ambi was arrogant and badmouthed him.

“His tongue needs to be ripped off. We cannot read such books that insult Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. This book should be destroyed," he said.

Gaikwad claimed that his wife got the book on Tuesday, after which he read it, adding that he called the publisher but the viral audio clip was "edited and distorted”.

He said he had objected to “disrespectful” reference to Shivaji Maharaj.

Reacting to the matter, Maharashtra minister and BJP leader Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil said Gaikwad shouldn't dig into past controversies.

This is not the first time Gaikwad has been embroiled in a controversy. In 2024, he flaunted a tiger tooth worn around his neck and claimed that he had hunted the big cat in 1987.

Last year, Gaikwad had slapped a canteen staff member allegedly for offering stale food at the MLA hostel.

In 2024, Gaikwad had declared a Rs 11 lakh reward to anyone who "slashed Rahul Gandhi's tongue and presented it to him" following the Congress leader's statements about reservations. He later apologised.

In a separate statement, Gaikwad said the police department is so corrupt that if they seize 'booty' worth Rs 50 lakh, only Rs 50,000 is brought on record.

He had called the Maharashtra Police the "most incompetent department." On one occasion, he had asked a policeman to wash his car. When asked why, he replied that the policeman had vomited inside the vehicle.