Union minister Raksha Khadse says daughter harassed in Maharashtra’s Jalgaon, Fadnavis assures action

Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Raksha Khadse

Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Raksha Khadse’s daughter was allegedly molested by some youths during a fair in the Muktainagar area of Maharashtra’s Jalgaon district. The minister filed a complaint on Sunday at the police station in Muktainagar for the incident, which took place during the Sant Muktai Yatra on the occasion of Mahashivratri.

Talking to reporters, the Union minister and BJP leader said, "I was in Gujarat, so my daughter called me to ask for permission to go. I asked her to take a guard and two to three sta members along. My daughter and her friends were followed and pushed, and their photos and videos were taken. When my staff objected, the boys resorted to unruly behaviour, and a mob of 30 to 40 people gathered."

Muktainagar, Maharashtra: Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports, Raksha Khadse, says, "...The night before last, my daughter went to the fair, and this incident took place. Some boys harassed her..." https://t.co/zO4CdZNugFpic.twitter.com/DnZEXNW9MX

IANS (@ians_india) March 2, 2025

"It is unfortunate. If such things happen to an MP or Union minister's daughter, imagine what common people have to go through," she said. Khadse said some locals in Muktainagar told her that the boys harassed girls on their way to school.

"I have spoken to the chief minister and the deputy superintendent of police,"she said, demanding that the culprits be arrested. Maharashtra's Jalgaon district. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, however, said that the accused belong to a political party, and some of them have been arrested.

Speaking to reporters in Raigad, Chief Minister Fadnavis said, "Those who harassed Khadse's daughter are from a political party. The local police have arrested some of them and registered a case. There will be strict action taken against them." Raksha Khadse's father-in-law, former minister and NCP (SP) leader Eknath Khadse said, "The police have already received several complaints against these youths in the past, but no effective steps were taken. These boys are hardened criminals." He claimed that crimes against women have increased in Maharashtra, and criminals are not afraid of the police.

"Girls do not come forward to lodge complaints. Parents believe that the names of their daughters should not be disclosed. We complained as we had no option left," he said.

"I have spoken to the DSP and IG. When we went to the police station first, we were made to sit for two hours. The police told us to rethink the issue as it relates to girls. The youths have beaten up the police also. These people have political protection," the NCP (SP) leader said.

Reacting to the development, Maharashtra Congress chief Harshvardhan Sapkal claimed the law and order situation in the state has collapsed under the Mahayuti government.

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

Congress legislature party leader Vijay Wadettiwar said the news of Khadse's daughter being molested while under police protection is a reality in Maharashtra.

"The minister had to go directly to the police station to demand that the accused be arrested. We have been saying for a long time that the police are no longer feared in the state because gangsters get protection from the Mahayuti," he claimed.

The Mahayuti government has been shown a mirror by its Central minister, Wadettiwar said, questioning if the incident will awaken the chief minister and the two deputy chief ministers.