During a Hindu Jan Akrosh Morcha organised by the Sakal Hindu Samaj, BJP MLC Gopichand Padalkar incited violence against “jihadis” who disrespect Shivaji, calling for their arms and legs to be chopped off. He encouraged violence against a Muslim man named ‘Sayed’ accused of insulting Shivaji, demanded treason charges, spread the conspiracies of “love jihad” and “land jihad”, and called for an “anti-love jihad” law.
At the same event, NCP MLA Sangram Jagtap fearmongered about “infiltrators” obtaining ration cards and voting rights, demonised Muslims, mocked the Muslim skullcap, and compared Muslims to being dirty. He urged the audience to use kitchen tools as weapons, gave the slogan “Uthao dande” (“pick up sticks”), and compared Christians to cockroaches.
Also speaking was a leader of the Kinnar Akhada, who warned “jihadis” they would not be spared if they insulted Shivaji.