A political storm erupted on Tuesday after BJP MLA Gopichand Padalkar made an incendiary statement in connection with the tragic suicide of 22-year-old Rituja Rajge, triggering widespread condemnation and demands for action.
Addressing a gathering, Padalkar said: “Whoever does the work of (religious) conversion, and if our people do Sairat to that person, then I will personally give a reward of ₹11 lakhs.”
The MLA’s reference to Sairat — a film that portrays caste-based honour killings — has alarmed civil rights groups, opposition parties, and social activists who called the comment provocative, dangerous, and inciteful.
