In a swift regulatory response to public outrage, the Maharashtra Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) has suspended the licence of Ajanta Caterers, which operates the canteen at the MLA hostel in Mumbai. The move follows a widely circulated video showing Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Gaikwad slapping and punching a canteen staffer over allegations of being served stale food.
The FDA conducted a surprise inspection at the Akashwani MLA hostel on Wednesday and found the caterer in violation of multiple provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and its related licensing regulations. In its order, the FDA directed the caterer to halt all food service operations at the site starting Thursday.
The incident sparked political condemnation across party lines. Gaikwad, a legislator from Buldhana affiliated with Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena faction, claimed he had made several complaints about the poor food quality at the hostel but received no response. “This has been going on for a while. I’ve raised the issue multiple times. Nothing changed,” he said.
The viral video shows Gaikwad—dressed casually in a vest and towel—storming into the canteen, shoving a packet of dal under the contractor’s nose, and then assaulting him. The act has been condemned by both the government and opposition, with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis calling the behaviour unacceptable and saying it sends the wrong message about elected representatives.
Even Shiv Sena president and Deputy CM Eknath Shinde distanced himself from the assault. “If there’s wrongdoing, legal action can be taken. But beating someone is inappropriate,” he said.
The incident has once again sparked debate on the abuse of political power and the need for better oversight in public service facilities.
