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As Marathi actor Prajakta Mali slammed BJP MLA Suresh Dhas for allegedly making a “derogatory” remark against her and dragging her name into issue of Beed sarpanch murder, several BJP leaders lent their support to the actor.
“Dhas’s remarks were derogatory and in bad taste. In his bid for one-upmanship on the political terrain, he unnecessarily tried to drag our names into it (the Beed murder issue)… His comments were entire baseless. Women, especially, actors, should not be made soft targets….Dhas should apologise for it,” the actor said in a press conference in Mumbai.
Dhas, however, said that he will not apologise. “I have not said anything objectionable. They should carefully review my statement.”
Dhas made the remarks Saturday in a rally where he attacked Minister Dhananjay Munde and his close associate Valmik Karad over the murder of Massajog sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh.
During his speech, the BJP alleged that Munde and his aide had created “Parli pattern”, claiming that they invited actor actors for various events. Dhas said Prajakta Mali and other actors were familiar with Parli.
Meanwhile, Minister Chandrakant Patil said that Dhas should ensure that he does not defame any woman or an actor.
“We are descendants of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj… Shivaji Maharaj ensured no one tarnishes the character of a woman. A political controversy is underway but by dragging the name of an actor into it Suresh Dhas has let himself down. Dhas should ensure that he does not defame any woman or an actor. Yesterday, Prajakta Mali held a press conference and expressed her anger at Dhas’s remarks. him Being a party MLA, he should not have done this,” Patil said.
“I am going to personally tell him that he is a party MLA and he should not do this. I am going to call him up,” he added.
Backing Prajakta Mali, Chitra Wagh, who is state president of BJP’s women’s wing, in a post on X, said, “BJP gives the highest priority to women’s dignity. Therefore, no one has any right to throw mud by taking someone’s name… In this fight, Prajakta is not alone… I am assuring her.”
The actor has also said that she will meet Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and draw his attention to the matter.