Maharashtra Minister Girish Mahajan was spotted with a revolver tucked under his belt at an event for vision and hearing impaired children
Maharashtra minister Girish Mahajan is being hammered for attending an event for children with speech and hearing impairment with a gun visibly tucked in his belt. But his Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis today defended him.
"He has not broken any law. He has a valid license and when you have a license, it is to carrying the weapon, not to keep it at home," Mr Fadnavis said in the state assembly when the opposition demanded Mr Mahajan's resignation.
"No need to politicise the issue," he told slogan shouting members. He agreed, however, that the weapon was visible and said "necessary directives" would be given to the minister on this.
A opposition lawmaker brought a fake revolver to the assembly and questioned whether official ministers could attend meetings too with a gun in hand.
Girish Mahajan, the state's water resources minister, was seen on Saturday addressing special needs children at an event in Jalgaon with the gun peeking out of his waist.
Confronting criticism, Mr Mahajan said he carries the gun only for self-defence.
"I admit that the revolver was visible. But never have I pointed a revolver, or gotten involved in violence of any kind in my life. The revolver is merely for self-defence," the minister told reporters.
But his explanation did not silence his critics.
"The minister should know what sort of example he is setting for children to emulate with his brazen display of a weapon. Does he not believe in police and security provided to him by the government?" Dhananjay Munde, Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council, questioned.