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Shiv Sena candidate from Vikhroli constituency Suvarna Karanje has filed a complaint to the Maharashtra Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) and sought action against her rival candidate Sunil Raut over objectionable remarks on her.
In her letter to Maharashtra CEO, S Chockalingam, Suvarna said that the comment by Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate is a violation of ethical and respectful conduct in public discourse. "On 5th November 2024, a video was widely circulated on social media where MLA Sunil Raut is seen making highly derogatory, inflammatory, threatening remarks against me, Suvarna Karanje, his opponent for the upcoming Vidhan sabha elections from Vikhroli assembly constituency. In the video, Mr. Raut refers to me as 'Bakri' (goat) in a highly demeaning manner and in an extremely disturbing and provocative statement, he declares that he will 'behead the Bakri' on 20th November, the day of elections," she said in her letter to CEO. "These comments, made in the presence of a gathering of individuals from a particular community are not only an open insult to my dignity as a woman and political candidate but also constitute an explicit and dangerous threat. Such remarks are clearly giving a message to slaughter me in public like a 'Bakri'. The remarks have the potential to incite communal tension, hatred and violence in an already charged political environment," Suvarna Karanje added. She also mentioned that this remark violates the Model Code of Conduct. Further, Karanje requested the Election Commission to take immediate action against Sunil Raut and arrest and disqualify him from contesting the Assembly polls. "I urgently request the Election Commission to take immediate action against MLA Sunil Raut and arrest him and disqualify him from contesting in the upcoming Vidhan Sabha election and hold him accountable for his words and actions, in line with the law and code of conduct. I would also like to urge you to review my security details in case his followers try to take action against me by getting influenced by his statement," she said. The National Commission for Women (NCW) Chairperson, Vijaya Rahatkar also condemned Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA's comment on her rival candidate. "The comment made by Shiv Sena (Thackeray) leader and candidate Sunil Raut on female candidate Suvarna Karanje reflects his anti-women mentality. Today, when the country is moving towards becoming a developed nation under the leadership of women, such a low mentality towards women is indecent. I strongly condemn this statement. Respect for women is paramount and it is the collective responsibility of all of us," the NCW chief said on X. Meanwhile, an FIR has been registered against Sunil Raut, the Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate from the Vikhroli constituency and brother of Sanjay Raut, over allegedly objectionable comments against Karanje. The FIR has been filed under Sections 79, 351(2), and 356(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Reportedly, during an election rally, Sunil Raut referred to the Shiv Sena Shinde faction's Vikhroli candidate, Suvarna Karanje, as a "scapegoat." Sunil Raut is running as the Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate for the Vikhroli assembly constituency, a seat he previously won in the 2014 and 2019 elections. This time, he is contesting against Suvarna Karanje from the Shiv Sena party and Vishwajeet Dholam from the MNS. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi also criticised Sunil Raut's remark "Bali ka Bakra" as sexist and linked it to misogyny. She further emphasised the need for respect towards women and called for the implementation of the 33% reservation for women in politics. NCP leader Praful Patel also called for greater respect for women, emphasizing on Maharashtra government's Ladli Behen Yojana. In a no-holds-bar-attack on Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sunil Raut over his alleged comment on women candidate, Shiv Sena candidate from the Mumba Devi seat, Shaina NC said that it is time that the women in Maharashtra wake up and raise their voices against such "regressive" comments. (ANI)
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