Shaina NC hits back: files complaint over Arvind Sawant’s ‘imported’ insult!

Shiv Sena UBT leader Arvind Sawant ignited controversy on Friday by calling Shaina NC “imported maal.” He made this remark while speaking to the media about Shaina, a former BJP leader who recently joined the Shiv Sena ahead of the Maharashtra assembly elections.

Sawant commented, “She stayed all her life in the BJP, and now look at her… Humare yahan imported maal nahi chalta (Imported material does not work here). Only original ‘maal‘ works here.” His words drew immediate backlash for being sexist. Shaina responded fiercely, stating that voters would teach Sawant and his party a lesson in the upcoming polls.

Shaina condemned Sawant’s mindset, questioning, “Does he think every woman of Mumbadevi is maal?” She pointed out the contrast between Sawant’s derogatory remarks and initiatives aimed at empowering women, such as Eknath Shinde’s Ladki Behan Yojana and Prime Minister Modi’s Ujjwala and Mudra Banking schemes. Shaina further criticized Congress MLA Amin Patel, who laughed during the incident, highlighting the broader disrespect towards women from the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA).

In response to the insult, Shaina filed a formal complaint against Sawant, asserting that the law would take its course. “I have the FIR copy. He has outraged the modesty of a woman. I am a daughter of Mumbai—I am no one’s maal,” she stated emphatically. Shaina is contesting the November 20 polls from the Mumbadevi Assembly constituency, having joined Shinde’s Shiv Sena hours before the elections were announced.

Following the backlash, Sawant defended his comments, claiming there was nothing wrong with his statement. He criticized the opposition for escalating the situation unnecessarily, saying, “Why didn’t they say anything about the women in Manipur? They have no respect for women.” He added, “Modesty of a woman is always honoured by Arvind Sawant.”

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde weighed in on the controversy, calling Sawant’s remarks unfortunate. He expressed concern that such comments could provoke anger among women in Maharashtra. “Whoever has said this, all the sisters of Maharashtra will show him his place and send him back home,” Shinde warned, emphasizing the need for respect toward women.

The incident underscores ongoing tensions in Maharashtra’s political landscape and highlights the importance of respectful discourse in public life.