Backing its controversial MP Ravindra Gaikwad, the Shiv Sena on Monday gave a call for a ‘bandh’ (shutdown) in Osmanabad, Maharashtra, while party workers and supporters held a bike rally in the town of Umarga to show their support for Gaikwad. This comes on the back of local Sena workers burning an effigy of Air India employees at Turori village on Sunday.
Also on Monday, Shiv Sena MPs raised the issue in the Lok Sabha and said the ban imposed by all airlines on Gaikwad, who had assaulted an Air India employee last week, should be lifted. The government, however, said airlines had the right to refuse a passenger.
Sena member Anandrao Adsul, who raised the issue in the House, said:
There was some dispute, he had beaten an Air India staffer. I agree it is wrong. Air India has filed a police complaint and we will accept the result, that is not a problem.
He also pointed out that comedian Kapil Sharma was not banned despite having misbehaved with an airline staffer on a flight to Australia.
The party also plans to bring on Monday a privilege motion in to the Lok Sabha over the issue. Adsul had earlier told ANI:
Airlines banning Ravindra Gaikwad is not right. We will raise the issue in both houses of the Parliament and in Zero Hour too.
On Sunday, dismissing reports that he had gone into hiding, Gaikwad had claimed that he has been away from the media’s glare because he was asked by a top party leader not to speak to the media about the issue.
Reiterating his stance, the parliamentarian threatened legal action against Air India and said he was not running away and will be present in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday.
A senior Sena leader ordered me not to speak with media till Wednesday (29 March) and so I am not coming before the media. I will come to Omerga on Tuesday and celebrate Marathi new year ‘Gudi Padwa’ with my family and Shiv Sainiks. I will then attend Lok Sabha session (in New Delhi) on WednesdayRabvindra Gaikwad, MP, Shiv Sena
Last week, Gaikwad had allegedly abused and assaulted a 60-year-old duty manager of Air India with slippers over not being able to fly business class despite having boarded an all-economy Pune-New Delhi flight.
Following the incident, he was barred from flying by major domestic airlines.
(With agency inputs)
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