Maharashtra BJP Leader Held After FIR Over Alleged Casteist, Derogatory Remarks

 Mumbai: The Maharashtra BJP was left red-faced after its prominent leader from North Maharashtra Vijay Choudhary was arrested by police in connection with allegedly making derogatory and casteist remarks against former BJP MP Heena Gavit and other senior women leaders.

Choudhary, who is from Nandurbar, was arrested late Thursday night by the Crime Branch. Following his, he underwent a medical examination and have since been remanded to police custody.

The FIR was registered against Choudhary under provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and other relevant sections relating to the alleged remarks.

A political controversy had erupted after audio recordings featuring Chaudhari have gone viral on social media. The clips allegedly contain remarks against Union minister of state Raksha Khadse and former Nandurbar MP Heena Gavit.

In one recording, Chaudhari is purportedly heard making offensive comments about Raksha and demanding her removal from the Union ministry, citing the political positions of her family members – Eknath Khadse and Rohini Khadse, who are associated with the Nationalist Congress Party (SP). In another clip, Chaudhari allegedly makes objectionable remarks against Heena and her father, BJP MLA Vijay Gavit.

Following a complaint by Heena’s brother Rohan Gavit, Nandurbar City police registered an FIR against Chaudhari on July 26 under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

This incident sparked strong reactions on social media and the opposition also targeted the ruling party. Chaudhari resigned as the BJP’s North Maharashtra organising secretary after the clips surfaced. In his resignation letter to state BJP president Ravindra Chavan, he sought an inquiry into the matter.

However, Choudhary has denied the allegations, claiming that the audio clip was fabricated using AI technology. This was a political conspiracy hatched by opponents to defame him and the party, he said before adding that he has approached the Nandurbar cyber police seeking an investigation into the authenticity of the clips.

Police said the probe will examine the origin of the audio clip and its authenticity. “The basis of the complaints, the audio clips, are unverified. Investigations are being carried out,” an official said.