Maharashtra Speaker seeks apology over Congress gungi gudiya jibe at Sunetra Pawar

The Story in Brief

Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar called the use of the phrase “gungi gudiya” against Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar unfortunate and said anyone who used such language should express genuine regret and apologise. The controversy began after NCP leader Dhananjay Munde reportedly shielded Ms Pawar from a journalist’s question about law and order in Beed district on Tuesday, 4 August 2026. The Maharashtra Congress posted a video on social media labelling her “gungi gudiya”, which drew sharp criticism from the NCP, an ally of the BJP in the Mahayuti state government. Protests by NCP workers led to an attempt to storm the Congress office in Mumbai; police detained protesters and tightened security outside the office. Congress state president Harshwardhan Sapkal later called the post “regrettable”, calling it a miscommunication after earlier defending the expression as a comment on public conduct. Ms Pawar said she would respond at an appropriate time. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy CM Eknath Shinde also criticised the post.

The Indian Opinion

The post and the reactions underline how a short phrase can escalate into a wider political row. Labelling an elected woman leader “gungi gudiya” is demeaning in tone and invited condemnation; at the same time, defenders say the phrase was aimed at public conduct rather than intended as personal abuse. Political allies and opponents quickly framed the episode to suit rival positions, and workers’ protests and detentions added to the escalation. Given competing accounts, it is unclear whether the original intent was personal insult or political critique. An ordinary reader would welcome a clear apology from whoever used the phrase if it offended, plus a calm, fact-based response from the parties involved rather than further polarising rhetoric.

Original article: Maharashtra Speaker slams Congress’s ‘gungi gudiya’ jibe at Sunetra Pawar, seeks apology (www.thehindu.com)

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