Is Maharashtra safe for women? Union Minister's daughter harassed at Maharashtra fair | WATCH

Maharashtra: In a shocking incident that has raised concerns over women's safety in Maharashtra, Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Raksha Khadse has filed a police complaint after her daughter was harassed at a fair in Jalgaon district.

Accused is charged under IT Act and POCSO Act

Accompanied by dozens of BJP workers and supporters, Khadse visited the police station, expressing her anguish over the law-and-order situation in the state. She has come here not as a Union Minister but as a mother to seek justice, she told about the incident reporters outside the station.

VIDEO | Union MoS Raksha Khadse (@khadseraksha) speaks to media on filing a complaint after her daughter was allegedly harassed during the Sant Muktai Yatra in Maharashtra's Jalgaon.

(Full video available on PTI Videos- https://t.co/dv5TRAShcC) pic.twitter.com/Ur2bG0lzvs

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) March 2, 2025

According to Deputy Superintendent of Police Kushanat Pingde, multiple girls were harassed at the event, and the accused even clashed with their guardians when confronted. Seven individuals have been identified, with one arrest already made. The accused also filmed videos of the victims, leading to charges under the POCSO Act and IT Act.

Khadse questions safety in Maharashtra

Despite her party being in power in Maharashtra, Khadse voiced out  her deep concern over the rising crimes against women, stating that
If her own daughter isn't safe then what will be the condition of rest of the ordinary citizens? She further added that many victims hesitate to come forward, but staying silent is not an option.

Incident of #EveTeasing of Union Minister of State for Sports #RakshaKhadse's daughter in a fair organised in #Jalgaon, Maharashtra after Mahashivratri on Friday. @khadseraksha has now reached the police station with her daughter to lodge a complaint.pic.twitter.com/LH1WWjobv1 pic.twitter.com/vwEDwdOAqx

— Smriti Sharma (@SmritiSharma_) March 2, 2025

She plans to meet Chief Minister Eknath Shinde to demand stricter enforcement of laws to protect women and children. The incident has given political ammunition to the opposition, with Maharashtra Congress Chief Harshwardhan Sapkal slamming the BJP-led Mahayuti government, claiming that the state has collapsed into lawlessness. He demanded that Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis step down, stated that
If the daughters of Union Ministers aren't safe,then what about the safety of common citizens?

Recent Pune rape case increased the public outrage

Responding to the backlash, Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis assured strict action, revealing that the accused were linked to a political party (though he did not name it). He passed on the statement that 'The police have registered a case and arrests are under process. Everyone who is involved won't be spared.'

#WATCH | Jalgaon, Maharashtra: SDPO Muktainagar Krishnat Pingale says, "On 28th February 2025, there was a yatra in Muktainagar taluka's Kothali village. Muktainagar City's Aniket Ghui and 6 of his friends were participating in the yatra. In the same yatra, Aniket Ghui and his… pic.twitter.com/aHM1AuYzPJ

— ANI (@ANI) March 2, 2025

The incident comes just days after the shocking Pune rape case, where a 26-year-old woman was sexually assaulted inside an abandoned bus at Swargate Depot. The main  accused, Dattatray Ramdas Gade, was arrested from a paddy field after an extensive police search. Gade, a repeat offender with past theft and robbery cases, had been out on bail since 2019. With two back-to-back crimes against women shaking Maharashtra, the spotlight is now on the state government's ability to ensure public safety.