Maharashtra Speaker slams Congress’s ‘gungi gudiya’ jibe at Sunetra Pawar, seeks apology

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.

“Using such language or improper phrasing against women is unfortunate. Whosoever has used such language ought to express genuine regret and issue an apology for their remarks,” Mr. Narwekar told reporters in Raigad.

After the controversy flared, Congress State president Harshwardhan Sapkal described the post against Ms. Pawar as “regrettable”, attributing it to a “miscommunication”. He had earlier defended the expression, saying it referred to her public conduct and silence on key issues rather than being an abusive or unparliamentary term.

The post triggered protests by workers of the Pawar-led NCP, who stormed the Congress office in Mumbai demanding an unconditional apology. Police detained the protesters and tightened security outside the Congress office.

Sunetra Pawar has said she would respond to the controversy at an appropriate time.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had accused the Congress of lowering the standard of political discourse.

Deputy CM Eknath Shinde, who heads the Shiv Sena, condemned the remark, calling it an insult to Sunetra Pawar and women across the State.