{
  "id": 6379155,
  "title": "BJP MLA Narendra Mehta Slams Pratap Sarnaik Over Sanjay Dutt’s Marathi Remark; Calls Him 'Dummy Minister'",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/09/bjp-mla-narendra-mehta-slams-pratap-sarnaik-over-sanjay-dutts-marathi",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-09T04:09:34.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Press Journal",
    "slug": "free-press-journal",
    "url": "https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/bjp-mla-narendra-mehta-slams-pratap-sarnaik-over-sanjay-dutts-marathi-remark-calls-him-dummy-minister-mumbai-news"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A political storm has erupted in Maharashtra following BJP MLA Narendra Mehta's sharp criticism of state Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik. The controversy stems from actor Sanjay Dutt's remarks at a Dahi Handi event, where he reportedly expressed his inability to speak Marathi. Sarnaik was seen smiling following Dutt's statement. Mehta, in a video message, questioned the minister's response, alleging a disparity between the treatment of celebrities and ordinary transport workers. He called Sarnaik a \"dummy minister,\" invoking Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde in the process. The controversy has reignited debates over the Maharashtra government's Marathi language campaign for auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers, which has also been put on hold for a year.",
  "summary": "Mumbai: A fresh political row has erupted in Maharashtra after Mira Bhayandar BJP MLA Narendra Mehta criticised state Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik over actor Sanjay Dutt's remarks about not knowing Marathi at a Dahi Handi event organised by the minister. During the celebrations, Sarnaik reportedly asked Dutt to speak in Marathi. The actor greeted the gathering by saying, “Tumha sarvanna…",
  "key_points": [
    "Mehta calls Sarnaik a \"dummy minister\" in video message.",
    "Controversy reignites Maharashtra's Marathi language campaign debate."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The spat between BJP MLA Narendra Mehta and Minister Pratap Sarnaik signals a rift within the Maharashtra government over its Marathi language campaign and how it treats different sections of society.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}