Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Fadnavis Accuses Opposition of Double Standards Amid Controversy

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday criticized opposition parties for what he described as "double standards" regarding the police response to the death of Akshay Shinde, the accused in the Badlapur sexual assault case. Shinde, 24, was shot dead in a police encounter while being escorted from Taloja jail to Badlapur in Thane district earlier this week. He faced charges of sexually assaulting two minor girls at a school in Badlapur and was arrested last month.

The incident sparked outrage, prompting opposition parties to question the circumstances surrounding Shinde's death and to suggest that it could be an attempt to "destroy evidence" in a case that had already garnered national attention. In response, Fadnavis, speaking to reporters in Shirdi during the state government's 'Ladki Bahin' scheme event, defended the police actions.

"These people (opposition parties) have double standards. They write editorials in support of the encounter (of a rape and murder accused) in Telangana, but raise questions over the action by the police, who had to open fire in retaliation. It seems that there is an attempt to demoralise the police," Fadnavis stated.

"We Will Try to Understand…" Said Fadanvis

Addressing another incident where a woman vandalized his nameplate outside his office in Mumbai's Mantralaya, Fadnavis expressed intentions to investigate her grievances. "We will try and understand her grievances. We will try to understand what prompted her to indulge in that act and will try to address her issues...We will also try to know if she was sent by someone," he said.

He dismissed the opposition's claims that the woman's actions reflected widespread anger among women against the current administration, asserting that the opposition is "depressed" and lacks valid issues. Fadnavis emphasized that incidents of public dissent have occurred during previous administrations, stating, "There are several instances that happened under their rule. But I will not stoop so low."

He noted, "We allow everyone to enter the Mantralaya. Sometimes, people jump off the floors on the safety net put up at the building. They try to express their disappointment, but we try to address their issues," further highlighting the challenges faced by the current government.