MUMBAI: Sanjay Gaikwad, the Shiv Sena’s Buldhana MLA, known for his egregious statements and violent behaviour, on Friday apologised for his latest shocker where he urged people not to attend the funerals of farmers who died by suicide to teach them a lesson. Gaikwad has been repeatedly warned by party chief Eknath Shinde about such conduct, and the Sena leadership is considering suspending him despite his apology.
When asked about this, Gaikwad said he did not want to comment.
In September 2024, the MLA claimed he had hunted a tiger, an offence under the Wildlife Protection Act. In the same month, he offered ₹ 11 lakh to anyone taking on the task of slashing Rahul Gandhi’s throat. In 2021, when he was a part of the MVA government, he had declared that the Covid virus must be shoved down Devendra Fadnavis’ throat.
If you have a problem, write to the government or MLA or MP. They can help. Such farmers leave their children and wives at the mercy of others. If they end their lives like this, then people must not go for the last rites. Let animals eat their bodies. If they realise the consequences, they will not kill themselves. I am sensitive towards farmers and I have always helped them and the kin of those who died by suicide. I have funded the household expenses of people who were in dire straits and I have constructed houses for farmers. I meant that farmers should consider what will happen to their family after them. Still, if they felt bad, I apologise.”
“I have been in politics for 40 years and am also a farmer.
After facing statewide flak, Gaikwad spoke to the media on Friday, claiming that his statements in the viral reel were “misconstrued”. “I have not said anything about farmer suicides,” he said. At a press conference at Buldhana on Thursday, Gaikwad had said, “Why are you committing suicide?
