Maharashtra Water Resources Minister Girish Mahajan was addressing the official Republic Day 2026 function after unfurling the national flag when Madhvi Jadhav, a staffer from the forest department, interrupted the speech and sought an explanation for the absence of Ambedkar’s name
Girish Mahajan was addressing the official Republic Day 2026 function in Nashik on Monday. Pic/X
A forest department employee interrupted the Republic Day 2026 speech of Maharashtra minister Girish Mahajan in Nashik on Monday for not mentioning Dr BR Ambedkar, following which the minister apologised, calling it an unintentional omission, news agency PTI reported.
The state water resources minister was addressing the official Republic Day 2026 function after unfurling the national flag when Madhvi Jadhav, a staffer from the forest department, interrupted the speech and sought an explanation for the absence of Ambedkar’s name.
Police later intervened and detained Jadhav for a brief period, PTI reported.
“Girish Mahajan did not take Dr Ambedkar’s name in his speech, whereas the names of people who were not responsible for democracy and the Constitution were repeatedly mentioned. Why was the name of the person who truly deserves the honour of Republic Day not mentioned?” Jadhav asked.
She accused the minister of attempting to erase Ambedkar’s identity, PTI reported.
“People like me have secured government jobs because of Babasaheb Ambedkar. I will not apologise,” she said, daring the administration to suspend her.
Responding to the incident later, Mahajan said the omission was purely inadvertent.
“I raised slogans like ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’, ‘Vande Mataram’ and ‘Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Ki Jai’. I did not intend to skip Dr Ambedkar’s name. I always hail him in my speeches. Still, I apologise for the omission,” the minister said.
Member of Parliament from Mumbai and city Congress chief Varsha Gaikwad slammed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over the incident, alleging that it reflected the party’s mindset.
“Republic Day is a celebration of the Constitution, and forgetting its makers shows the BJP’s anti-Maharashtra mindset,” she said, adding that the objection raised by Jadhav echoed the sentiments of every self-respecting Marathi citizen.
Alleging that the ruling party was driven only by power and money, she said it had no respect for the leaders who shaped Maharashtra and the nation.
“The people of Maharashtra will never forgive ministers who are intoxicated with power,” she said in a statement.
Republic Day 2026: India progressing rapidly on strength of Constitution, says Fadnavis
India is moving swiftly on the foundation of its Constitution and democratic values and is on track to become the world’s third-largest economy, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Monday.
Addressing the main Republic Day function at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Ground in Dadar, Fadnavis highlighted Maharashtra’s recent economic achievements, saying the state signed investment agreements worth Rs 30 lakh crore at the World Economic Forum in Davos, further strengthening its role as a key driver of India’s economy.
“India is rapidly progressing on the strength of its Constitution and democratic values and is on course to become the world’s third-largest economy. The MoUs signed at the recent World Economic Forum would strengthen the state’s role as the backbone of the country’s economy,” he said.
After unfurling the national flag, Fadnavis asserted that Maharashtra will continue to remain dynamic and keep moving forward with the strength of the Constitution.
The chief minister paid tribute to Dr B R Ambedkar and the members of the Constituent Assembly, thanking them for framing the Constitution.
“The values of freedom, equality, and brotherhood are an integral part of Indian culture and are clearly reflected in the Constitution,” he said.
Fadnavis further added that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, India is now recognised as a significant global power and economy—a development made possible by the democratic system enshrined in the Constitution.
(With PTI inputs)
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