Jalgaon, March 2 – Union Minister Raksha Khadse has filed a police complaint following an incident where her daughter and friends were harassed by a group of boys at an event in Maharashtra's Jalgaon district. The harassment took place at the Sant Muktai Yatra in Kothali village, Muktainagar, on the night of Friday, February 28.
Khadse, a BJP leader, reported the incident at Muktainagar police station, stating that her daughter and friends were followed, pushed, and had their photos and videos taken without consent. When the minister’s security staff intervened, the situation escalated, and a mob of 30 to 40 people gathered.
"I was in Gujarat at the time, and my daughter called me for permission to attend the event. I advised her to take a guard and a few staff members along for safety. Unfortunately, they were harassed and followed by these boys. The boys also behaved unruly when my staff intervened," Khadse told reporters.
The minister added that after returning home, her daughter revealed that this was not the first time such an incident had occurred. She explained that the same group of boys had previously misbehaved with her on February 24 during a public event.
Khadse expressed concern over the safety of women in the state, stating, "If this can happen to the daughter of an MP and Union Minister, just imagine what ordinary people must be going through."
According to Khadse, some locals informed her that the same group of boys had harassed girls on their way to school in Muktainagar.
Khadse has demanded strict action against the perpetrators and has already communicated with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and the Deputy Superintendent of Police.
CM Fadnavis Responds to Incident
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis responded to the incident, confirming that the accused are affiliated with a political party. "Some of the accused have been arrested, and a case has been registered. Strict action will be taken against those involved," Fadnavis stated.
Opposition Slams Law and Order Situation
The incident has sparked strong reactions from the opposition, with Maharashtra Congress chief Harshvardhan Sapkal accusing the ruling Mahayuti government of failing to maintain law and order in the state.
Sapkal condemned the incident as a reflection of the deteriorating safety situation for women in Maharashtra. "If the daughter of a Union Minister is unsafe, what about ordinary citizens? The law and order situation in the state has completely collapsed under the Mahayuti government," he said.
He also criticized the delay in the arrests, alleging that Khadse had to personally visit the police station to demand the accused's apprehension. "This shows that the police have lost their authority, and gangsters seem to enjoy protection from the government," Sapkal added.
Congress Leaders Demand Action
Congress legislature party leader Vijay Wadettiwar further emphasized the need for strong action, stating that the fact the harassment occurred despite the presence of security guards indicated a severe breakdown in law enforcement.
"This is a clear indication that the police are no longer feared in Maharashtra, and the state's law and order situation has gone awry," Wadettiwar said. He questioned whether the incident would prompt the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Ministers to take responsibility for the safety of women in the state.
The political fallout from this incident highlights growing concerns over the safety of women in Maharashtra and the effectiveness of the state’s law enforcement agencies under the current administration.
Khadse, a BJP leader, reported the incident at Muktainagar police station, stating that her daughter and friends were followed, pushed, and had their photos and videos taken without consent. When the minister’s security staff intervened, the situation escalated, and a mob of 30 to 40 people gathered.
"I was in Gujarat at the time, and my daughter called me for permission to attend the event. I advised her to take a guard and a few staff members along for safety. Unfortunately, they were harassed and followed by these boys. The boys also behaved unruly when my staff intervened," Khadse told reporters.
The minister added that after returning home, her daughter revealed that this was not the first time such an incident had occurred. She explained that the same group of boys had previously misbehaved with her on February 24 during a public event.
Khadse expressed concern over the safety of women in the state, stating, "If this can happen to the daughter of an MP and Union Minister, just imagine what ordinary people must be going through."
According to Khadse, some locals informed her that the same group of boys had harassed girls on their way to school in Muktainagar.
Khadse has demanded strict action against the perpetrators and has already communicated with Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and the Deputy Superintendent of Police.
CM Fadnavis Responds to Incident
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis responded to the incident, confirming that the accused are affiliated with a political party. "Some of the accused have been arrested, and a case has been registered. Strict action will be taken against those involved," Fadnavis stated.
Opposition Slams Law and Order Situation
The incident has sparked strong reactions from the opposition, with Maharashtra Congress chief Harshvardhan Sapkal accusing the ruling Mahayuti government of failing to maintain law and order in the state.
Sapkal condemned the incident as a reflection of the deteriorating safety situation for women in Maharashtra. "If the daughter of a Union Minister is unsafe, what about ordinary citizens? The law and order situation in the state has completely collapsed under the Mahayuti government," he said.
He also criticized the delay in the arrests, alleging that Khadse had to personally visit the police station to demand the accused's apprehension. "This shows that the police have lost their authority, and gangsters seem to enjoy protection from the government," Sapkal added.
Congress Leaders Demand Action
Congress legislature party leader Vijay Wadettiwar further emphasized the need for strong action, stating that the fact the harassment occurred despite the presence of security guards indicated a severe breakdown in law enforcement.
"This is a clear indication that the police are no longer feared in Maharashtra, and the state's law and order situation has gone awry," Wadettiwar said. He questioned whether the incident would prompt the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Ministers to take responsibility for the safety of women in the state.
The political fallout from this incident highlights growing concerns over the safety of women in Maharashtra and the effectiveness of the state’s law enforcement agencies under the current administration.
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