Maharashtra Speaker slams Congress's 'gungi gudiya' jibe at Sunetra Pawar, seeks apology
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, says Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar
Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar has labeled the derogatory remark against Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar as unfortunate, insisting that anyone who employs such language should offer sincere regret and apologize. The dispute arose when NCP leader Dhananjay Munde shielded his party head, Deputy CM Pawar, from a journalist's inquiry about law and order conditions in Beed district on Tuesday, August 4, 2026.
In response, the Maharashtra Congress shared a video on social media, labeling Pawar as "gungi gudiya" (a silent doll), which provoked strong criticism from the NCP, a BJP ally in the Mahayuti State government. Narwekar, a BJP member, emphasized the importance of respecting women and honoring mothers and sisters in Maharashtra's political tradition, stating that using such language or improper phrasing against women is regrettable.
Both Congress State president Harshwardhan Sapkal and Pawar herself defended the post, arguing it was a miscommunication referring to her public behavior rather than an abusive term. The incident led to protests by NCP members outside the Congress office in Mumbai, resulting in police intervention and heightened security. Sunetra Pawar expressed her intention to address the controversy at a later time.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis accused the Congress of lowering political discourse standards, while Eknath Shinde, who leads the Shiv Sena, denounced the remark as an insult to Pawar and women state-wide.
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