Congress Calls Sunetra Pawar 'Goongi Gudiya', NCP Workers Stage Protest

Published 4 August 2026 · local

News india Row Over Congress' 'Goongi Gudiya' Remark For Sunetra Pawar, NCP Workers Stage Protest Row Over Congress' 'Goongi Gudiya' Remark For Sunetra Pawar, NCP

News india Row Over Congress' 'Goongi Gudiya' Remark For Sunetra Pawar, NCP Workers Stage Protest Row Over Congress' 'Goongi Gudiya' Remark For Sunetra Pawar, NCP Workers Stage Protest Published By, Last Updated: August 04, 2026, 18:00 IST The remark drew strong criticism from the NCP, whose workers staged a protest outside the Maharashtra Congress office in Mumbai and demanded an immediate apology from the party. Sunetra Pawar was unanimously elected as the President of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) following the death of her husband, Ajit Pawar, in late January 2026. (Photo: X/Sunetra Pawar) A political controversy erupted in Maharashtra on Tuesday after the Congress took a swipe at Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar, referring to her as a “goongi gudiya" (mute doll), prompting sharp reactions from the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and its allies. The remark drew strong criticism from the NCP, whose workers staged a protest outside the Maharashtra Congress office in Mumbai and demanded an immediate apology from the party.

In a post on X, the Maharashtra Congress questioned Sunetra Pawar’s public silence, writing: “Sunetra Pawar, how many more days will she remain a ‘mute doll’?" Sunetra Pawar was unanimously elected as the President of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) following the death of her husband, Ajit Pawar, in late January 2026. Fadnavis Slams Oppn Reacting to the controversy, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis accusing the opposition of making such statements to reamin the news headlines. “The Opposition has stooped to a very low level of politics. Since they are not receiving any public support, they are making such statements merely to remain in the headlines. They are following a mindset of even if we are defamed, at least we are being talked about. This is the first time Maharashtra is witnessing such low-level politics." Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde accused the Congress of insulting not just Sunetra Pawar but women across the state.

“Their minds have become corrupted, which is why they have insulted a sister. Sunetra Pawar is Maharashtra’s first woman Deputy Chief Minister," Shinde said. Drawing parallels with previous political controversies, he added that the Congress had allegedly used derogatory language against women during the 2024 elections. “This is not merely an insult to Sunetra Tai Pawar; it is an insult to all the mothers and sisters of Maharashtra. The Congress must immediately apologise for such a condemnable statement," he said. Rohit Pawar Reacts NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar also weighed in on the controversy, saying the phrase could be interpreted in different ways. “The term ‘Goongi Gudiya’ can be viewed in two ways. On one hand, it is objectionable, but on the other, it recalls how former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was once mocked with the same phrase by her critics," he said. Pawar noted that despite the criticism she faced, Indira Gandhi went on to emerge as one of India’s most influential political leaders.