Mumbai Mayor Credits Jain Gurudev For 'Chamatkari' Cure, Sanjay Raut's Jab Triggers Bigger Storm

Last Updated:April 02, 2026, 13:08 IST

Tawde's 'chamatkar' lands at the worst possible time — Maharashtra is already reeling from Ashok Kharat scandal, where a godman allegedly exploited women in the name of miracles.

Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde credited a Jain gurudev’s blessing for “curing" a chronic throat ailment that stumped doctors for two years. One word — ‘chamatkar’ (miracle) — was all it took for Sanjay Raut to turn a moment of faith into a full-blown political storm.

What Did Mumbai’s Mayor Actually Say?

Speaking at the ‘Bhagwan Mahavir Janma Kalyanak Mahotsav’ in Borivli on Tuesday evening, Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde — the first mayor elected after the long-delayed BMC civic polls concluded in early 2026, and only the second BJP corporator to hold the post in 44 years — made a personal disclosure that no one in the room was expecting.

She said that for nearly two years, she had been struggling with a chronic throat ailment. Medicines hadn’t worked. Then she approached Rashtrasant Param Gurudev Shri Namramuni Maharaj, a revered Jain monk.

“He prayed for me, and I am truly amazed that with his ashirwad, I am able to speak like this before all of you," she told the gathering, describing her recovery as a “big miracle."

MLA Mangal Prabhat Lodha, who was present, went one step further — suggesting that Tawde’s entire political rise, from corporator to mayor, was intertwined with Namramuni’s blessings and the support of “Devendra ji and Ameet bhai."

According to The Times of India, the mayor was simply expressing personal faith at a religious event attended by prominent leaders.

So Why Did It Blow Up?

The timing could not have been more combustible. Maharashtra is currently in the grip of the Ashok Kharat controversy — a case involving a self-styled godman accused of sexually exploiting women under the guise of miracles and tantric practices. The word “miracle" was already politically charged in the state.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut seized on the moment. Without naming Kharat directly, he made suggestive remarks that drew a parallel between Tawde’s “miraculous" recovery and the disputed claims associated with the accused godman. The implication was clear — and deeply provocative.

Marathi news outlet TV9 Marathi noted that the Ashok Kharat case had already sent shockwaves across Maharashtra, with the accused luring women with promises of miracles and tantric powers before allegedly assaulting them. Raut’s remarks, in that context, landed like a lit match.

How Did Tawde Hit Back?

Sharply, and personally. Clarifying her remarks the next day, Tawde said the news had been distorted even before she reached home on Tuesday night.

“It is filthy and disgusting. Who are you associating with whom?" she said, calling the coverage objectionable and one-sided.

She drew a clear line between faith and superstition: “I merely expressed my faith — I did not promote superstition." Then she turned on Raut directly: “Those, including Raut, who are indulging in such criticism for petty gains should introspect. Some political voices show no restraint, but when central agencies act against them, they suddenly speak of dignity and respect."

TV9 Marathi reported that Tawde, who has been heavily trolled since the episode, also asked pointedly: “Don’t they have mothers and sisters at home?" — a sharp rebuke aimed at those who she felt had crossed a line of basic decency.

Did Other Politicians Pile On?

Yes. Former Mumbai mayor and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Kishori Pednekar also criticised Tawde over the miracle remark, connecting it to the broader Ashok Kharat controversy.

Pednekar, who has been a consistent critic of Tawde since the new mayor took charge, has previously taken her to task over a flashing-lights row involving the mayor’s official vehicle and a BMC transfer controversy.

Why Does This Controversy Matter Beyond The Politics?

At its heart, this is a story about the thin, contested line between personal faith and public responsibility. A mayor expressing devotion to a spiritual figure at a religious event is not, in itself, unusual — India’s political life is deeply intertwined with faith. But in the current climate, with a godman scandal dominating headlines, the word “miracle" from a public officeholder carries an entirely different weight.

The episode also reflects how quickly political opponents in Maharashtra move to weaponise any moment — and how swiftly those moments spiral out of anyone’s control.

Tawde may have simply been sharing something personal. But in Mumbai’s political arena, personal statements rarely stay personal for long.

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