Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai

Mumbai, Sep 26: The Tilak Nagar police have registered an FIR against 18 BJP workers, including Kalyan district president Nandu Parab and vice president Sandeep Mali, for allegedly humiliating Congress functionary Prakash Pagare (72) by forcibly draping him in a sari.

The incident took place after Pagare reportedly shared a social media post critical of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, triggering outrage among the accused BJP workers. Parab, Mali, and others allegedly summoned Pagare and draped him in a sari as a ‘symbolic protest’, which adversely affected his health, leading to his admission to a private hospital.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi called Pagare to express support, saying, “Mama, what happened to you is extremely unfortunate. Please do not be afraid; the Congress party is with you.” He acknowledged Pagare’s five decades of service to the party and assured that state leadership had been instructed to stand firmly behind him. Rahul also promised to meet Pagare personally during his next visit to Mumbai.

In response, local Congress workers staged a symbolic protest at the Durga temple in Durgadi Fort, Kalyan, offering a sari and praying for “wisdom to prevail among BJP leaders.” The case has sparked a political row, highlighting rising tensions between party workers in the region.