Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Gaikwad’s expletive-laden midnight threat call to publisher of Pansare’s book sparks fresh row & protest

KOLHAPUR: Shiv Sena's Buldhana MLA Sanjay Gaikwad, who gained notoriety for assaulting a canteen staffer at MLA hostel in Mumbai in July 2025, has once again kicked up a row over his expletive-laden threat in a midnight call to Prashant Ambi, publisher of a book on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj authored by CPI leader and rationalist late Govind Pansare. The book was published in 1988.Gaikwad has objected to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj being referred to by his first name in the title of the book and berated Ambi by asking him to "go where Pansare has gone". The conversation continued for nine to 10 minutes, starting 12.52am, during the night intervening Wednesday and Thursday in which Gaikwad threatened to cause physical harm to Ambi.As an audio clip of the purported telephonic conversation between Gaikwad and Ambi got circulated on social media and on news channels, Gaikwad on Thursday released a video clip to the media claiming, "The audio clip was indeed about conversation between me and the publisher but the same is being presented by tampering the original conversation. I was only reasoning with Ambi about the contents of the book but he provoked me, by his replies, into using an intemperate language."On his part, Ambi, a resident of Rajendra Nagar in Kolhapur city, reached the Rajarampuri police station, along with his lawyer, Asim Sarode, and handed over a complaint application seeking registration of a case under sections 351 (criminal intimidation), 352 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of trust) 353(3) (statement conducing to public mischief), 356 (criminal defamation) and 192 (wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause riot) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, against Gaikwad.Ambi told TOI, "Govind Pansare wrote the book in 1988. It has been printed many times since then and has been among the masses for many years. The book is published in most Indian languages as well. I believe those who cannot argue about the contents of the book only try to create a furore over its title. I hope chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, who also holds the home portfolio, takes a serious note of the language used by the MLA and directs police to register the FIR against him."Inspector Satish Hodgar of the Rajarampuri police told TOI, "We have received a written complaint application from Ambi. We have not yet registered an FIR, as we are seeking a legal opinion on the same."The incident led to a vociferous protest by leftist functionaries and progressive activists at Chhatrapati Shivaji Chowk, condemning Gaikwad for his conduct. It also drew a sharp reaction from Pansare's daughter, Smita, daughter-in-law, Megha, and state Congress president Harshawardhan Sapkal, who said the CM should provide police protection to Ambi.Megha Pansare told TOI, "We are going to take legal action against the MLA for his statements made in the audio conversation. The statement shows the level of language used and the same is not acceptable for any common person in Maharashtra."In his video statement, Gaikwad said, "The book was gifted to my wife at a wedding function in Buldhana on April 21. I read it after she brought the book home. I found some contents intended at tarnishing the image of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. I was only questioning Ambi as to why precaution was not taken to avoid a reference to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj by his first name. Ambi was provocative in his replies which made me use the language. We will not tolerate disparaging references to our idol."Ambi said, "A relative of the bride at the Buldhana wedding had requested me to send him 500 copies of the book as he wanted to distribute the same among his guests. I dispatched the set of books. Maybe, the MLA's wife was among the guests who got the book."When contacted, Pansare's daughter, Smita, told TOI, "In 1950, writer Ganesh Karade had written a book on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj with the same title. Then Prabodhankar Thackeray (father of late Balasaheb Thackeray) wrote another book on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. My father has time and again told people to read the book to know why the title was given. Had the MLA read the contents, including how Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj used to respect women from all communities, his language would have been different."In a message posted on X (formerly twitter), Maharashtra Congress chief Harshwardhan Sapkal, who hails from Buldhana district, said, "Gaikwad has brought a bad name to Buldhana district by his behaviour and by threatening Ambi with dire consequences. We want the CM to initiate an inquiry into this and to provide police protection to Ambi."