26 June,2026 02:17 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Shiv Sena MP Jyoti Waghmare. Pic/X
Shiv Sena MP Jyoti Waghmare has approached the National Commission for Women (NCW), seeking action against Shiv Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut for allegedly using abusive and derogatory language against women public representatives of the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena.
The complaint comes amid an escalating political confrontation between the rival Shiv Sena factions following the recent defection of six Shiv Sena (UBT) Lok Sabha MPs to the Shinde-led Sena. The two camps have traded allegations and sharp remarks over the defections in recent days.
Raut, however, denied the allegations and maintained that he had only referred to defectors as "traitors."
In her complaint to the National Commission for Women, Waghmare alleged that Raut had repeatedly used offensive language against women leaders associated with the Shinde faction over the past four years, following the split in the undivided Shiv Sena.
She claimed that such remarks were unbecoming of a senior public representative and sought appropriate action against him.
According to Waghmare, Raut had, on multiple occasions, used insulting expressions while referring to women elected representatives of the party.
She further alleged that an audio recording containing an alleged threat made by Raut to a woman party worker had previously surfaced in the public domain.
The Shiv Sena MP also accused Raut of using derogatory language against political opponents and making statements that could adversely affect public order.
According to Waghmare, Raut had referred to political rivals as "bulls" and made remarks such as "only their dead bodies will return", expressing concern that such statements could have an adverse impact on law and order in Maharashtra.
Her complaint comes a day after Raut wrote to Mumbai Police Commissioner Deven Bharti seeking action against Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Dina Patil over alleged threats made following his defection from the Uddhav Thackeray-led party.
Responding to the complaint, Raut denied using objectionable language against women legislators.
"I have called a traitor a traitor. I have asked them to give me an alternative word (if they disapprove of it)," said the Rajya Sabha member.
Rejecting the allegations made by Waghmare, he maintained that his criticism was directed at those who had switched political allegiance and not at women representatives.
Raut also used the opportunity to criticise Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde while responding to the allegations.
"I have studied all Marathi dictionaries. Eknath Shinde is the only word I could find as an alternative to 'traitor'," he said.
Describing himself as a student of the Marathi language and referring to his four-decade tenure as editor of Saamana, Raut defended his choice of words while dismissing the complaint against him.
The latest exchange marks another chapter in the intensifying political battle between the rival Shiv Sena factions, with the dispute now extending to complaints before statutory bodies in addition to police authorities. The National Commission for Women has not yet commented on Waghmare's complaint.
(With inputs from PTI)
