Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Arvind Sawant stoked a controversy after he made a sexist remark against Shaina NC, a leader of the rival Shiv Sena faction.
A case was registered against Sawant on a complaint lodged by Shaina NC, who called his remark “outraging the modesty of a woman”. Arvind Sawant made the remarks two days ago while speaking about Shaina NC, who quit the BJP to join its ally, Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena faction, ahead of the Maharashtra Assembly election.
“She (Shaina NC) was with the BJP so far. When she did not get (ticket) there, she went to another party. Imported goods are not accepted here. Original goods are accepted here. Our goods are original,” Sawant told the media. Reacting to Sawant’s remark, Shaina NC complained to Nagpada police station and questioned the silence of Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders.
“Arvind Sawant took me along for campaigning in the past, and now I am ‘imported maal’?” she questioned. “I’m not your maal. I’m going to Nagpada police station to file a complaint.” Based on Shaina NC’s complaint, a case was registered against Sawant under Sections 79 (linked to outraging the modesty of a woman) and 356(2) (relating to defaming a person) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
“Why this itemisation and objectification of a woman? Amin Patel (Congress candidate on Mumbadevi) next to him is smiling away. Why is outraging the modesty of a woman?” she asked. “This reveals the mindset of Arvind Sawant and his party. Does he see every woman in Mumbadevi as ‘maal’? He shows no respect for women, using such terms to describe a capable woman in politics,” she said.
“Now you will be ‘behaal’ because you called the woman ‘maal’. Whether I take action or not, the public will make him ‘behaal’,” Shina NC said. Shiv Sena leader and Rajya Sabha MP, Milind Deora, also slammed Sawant for his comments on Shina NC.
“Arvind Sawant calling Shaina NC ‘maal’ is outright disgusting. He’s made similar offensive remarks about Muslims in the past. If anyone is ‘imported maal,’ it’s Arvind Sawant, elected as South Mumbai’s MP in 2014 while living in Powai,” Deora said.
In his defence, Arvind Sawant said, “I gave the byte two days ago. What were they doing for two days? I respect women, I am from Balasaheb’s Sena. Let them file a complaint.
Meanwhile, BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad said Arvind Sawan’t remark had really “upset” him. He said that such a comment shouldn’t be made against any woman.
Shaina NC, while she was a BJP leader, surprisingly featured in Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena candidates’ list for the Assembly election. Hours later, the 51-year-old jumped ship to the Shiv Sena.
The Maharashtra election will take place in a single phase on November 20, and the counting of votes will take place on November 23.