Opposition stages ‘banian towel’ protest against Sena MLA

Legislators of the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) on Wednesday (July 16, 2025) staged a “banian towel” protest outside the Vidhan Bhavan to condemn the assault of an MLA hostel canteen employee by Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Gaikwad.

Clad in banians and towels above their dress, the Legislators shouted slogans against the “goonda raj” of the ruling alliance.

“The assault by Mr. Gaikwad in the MLA canteen shows that even the government is backing such elements,” Leader of Opposition in State Legislative Council Ambadas Danve told reporters.

Mr. Gaikwad faced flak from those in the government and the Opposition alike after a video of him slapping and punching the employee at the MLAs’ hostel canteen for being served ‘stale’ food went viral.

The video showed Mr. Gaikwad, wearing a vest and a towel wrapped around his waist, confronting the canteen contractor and forcing him to smell the packet containing dal, before slapping and punching him.