Congress leader Kanhaiya Kumar’s recent comment about Amruta Fadnavis, wife of Maharashtra Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis, has stirred a major controversy in Maharashtra. In what is being seen as a sexist remark, Kanhaiya stated, “How can the public be responsible for saving religion when the Deputy CM’s wife is busy making reels?”
Amruta Fadnavis, a trained classical singer and banker, is highly active on social media, frequently sharing her involvement in various events, highlighting her development work, and showcasing her fashion choices. Known for posting about her daily routine, poojas, and celebrity events around Mumbai, she has previously been in the news for controversies surrounding her public image. In one instance, a bookie named Anil Jaisinghani alleged that she had discussed with him ways to undermine the former MVA government in Maharashtra. In another controversy, she claimed that a Mumbai-based designer, Anshika, offered her a bribe of ₹1 crore to help resolve criminal charges against her father.
Both Amruta and Kanhaiya are no strangers to public scrutiny. Kanhaiya Kumar first came to national attention during his days at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), where, as president of the student union, he was embroiled in a sedition case for leading “Azaadi” slogans, which led to a standoff with university administration and academics across India. More recently, he unsuccessfully contested the 2024 Lok Sabha elections against BJP MP Manoj Tiwari, losing by a significant margin in a campaign marked by the infamous “slap-gate” incident in Delhi.