In a sharp rebuke of Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sunil Raut’s alleged remarks about a female candidate, Shaina NC, Shiv Sena candidate from Mumba Devi, urged women in Maharashtra to raise their voices against such “regressive” statements. Reportedly, Raut referred to Suvarna Karanje, the Shiv Sena Shinde faction’s Vikhroli candidate, as a “goat” during an election rally.
Reacting to his remarks, Shaina NC said, “This is an extremely regressive comment from Sunil Raut. On one hand, they refer to us as ‘Bakris’ (goats) and use terms like ‘maal’ (objects). Look at the mentality. We have a Prime Minister who respects women, a Chief Minister who has empowered us with the ‘Ladli Bahin’ scheme, yet we also have leaders from the ‘Maha Vinas Aghadi’ using such disrespectful language.”
She also questioned Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi’s silence on the matter, calling on the Congress to address the remarks made by their ally. “It’s time for the women of Maharashtra to stand against this insensitive commentary. Congress is absolutely silent. We are not goats; we are the daughters of Maharashtra, and we will respond on November 20,” she asserted.
Former National Commission for Women (NCW) chief Rekha Sharma also expressed disappointment, calling it “unfortunate” that some leaders in Maharashtra are speaking poorly of women candidates.
An FIR has been filed against Sunil Raut, who is contesting from the Vikhroli constituency as the Shiv Sena UBT candidate and previously won in both 2014 and 2019. The FIR, citing sections 79, 351(2), and 356(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, addresses Raut’s reported offensive comments against Suvarna Karanje, who is contesting from Shiv Sena, and Vishwajeet Dholam from the MNS party.