06 August,2026 03:00 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar. File Pic
Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar on Wednesday criticised the Congress over its "gungi gudiya" remark against Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar, calling the language used against a woman "unfortunate" and saying those responsible should express regret and apologise.
The controversy erupted after the Maharashtra Congress used the phrase in a social media post targeting Sunetra Pawar, triggering protests by workers of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), which is part of the ruling Mahayuti alliance.
Speaking to reporters in Raigad, Narwekar said respect for women has always been a defining feature of Maharashtra's political culture and urged those responsible for the remark to apologise.
"Using such language or improper phrasing against women is unfortunate. Whosoever has used such language ought to express genuine regret and issue an apology for their remarks," Rahul Narwekar said.
The BJP leader emphasised that public discourse should maintain dignity, particularly when referring to women in political life.
The row began after NCP leader Dhananjay Munde reportedly intervened during a media interaction on Tuesday when a journalist questioned Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar about the law and order situation in Beed district.
Subsequently, the Maharashtra Congress shared a video of the interaction on social media and referred to Pawar as "gungi gudiya", prompting strong criticism from the NCP.
The ruling alliance accused the Congress of making an inappropriate personal remark instead of engaging in political criticism.
Following the backlash, Maharashtra Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal described the social media post as "regrettable" and attributed it to a "miscommunication".
Sapkal had earlier defended the expression, saying it referred to Sunetra Pawar's public conduct and silence on key issues rather than being an abusive or unparliamentary term.
However, the clarification failed to quell the controversy, with leaders from the ruling alliance continuing to demand an unconditional apology.
The post triggered protests by workers of the Ajit Pawar-led NCP, who gathered outside the Congress office in Mumbai demanding an unconditional apology.
Police detained several protesters and deployed additional security personnel outside the Congress office to prevent any escalation.
Sunetra Pawar has said she will respond to the controversy at an appropriate time.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis criticised the Congress over the episode, accusing the party of lowering the standards of political discourse.
Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who heads the Shiv Sena, also condemned the remark, calling it an insult not only to Sunetra Pawar but to women across Maharashtra.
(With inputs from PTI)
