Maharashtra Speaker slams Congress's 'gungi gudiya' jibe at Sunetra Pawar, seeks apology
Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar has condemned the Congress party's 'gungi gudiya' remark directed at Deputy CM Sunetra Pawar. The controversy has led to protests and calls for an apology, with political leaders across the spectrum debating the standards of political discourse.
Why it matters
The incident highlights ongoing tensions in Maharashtra's political climate and raises questions about gender-based rhetoric in Indian political discourse.
Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar has termed the "gungi gudiya" remark against Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar as unfortunate, saying anyone using such language should express genuine regret and apologise.
The controversy sparked after NCP leader Dhananjay Munde reportedly shielded his party head and Deputy CM Pawar from a journalist’s question about the law and order situation in Beed district on Tuesday (August 4, 2026).
The Maharashtra Congress later posted its video on social media and labelled Pawar as "gungi gudiya" (silent doll), drawing a sharp backlash from the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), an ally of the BJP in the Mahayuti State government.
Speaker Narwekar, a BJP leader, on Wednesday (August 5) said respecting women and honouring mothers and sisters has always been an integral part of Maharashtra's political culture.
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