Maharashtra School Education Minister Deepak Kesarkar’s video of lashing out at a woman job aspirant who questioned him about alleged ‘delay’ in teachers’ recruitment, has gone viral on social media on Tuesday.
The altercation occurred on Monday, November 27 when the woman approached the minister in Beed while he was meeting candidates for school teacher positions.
Also Read:Shiv Sena-Uddhav faction objects to Eknath Shinde being called ‘Hinduhriday Samrat
Kesarkar calmly answered the queries and told the woman the process had started and that the portal for teacher recruitment had become functional.
However, things took an abrupt turn when the woman, eager for answers, challenged the minister about the supposed five-year delay in the recruitment process.
When the woman highlighted the five-year delay in recruitment, the minister urged her to have “shraddha and saburi” (faith and patience). He suggested she could have met him after the event and his media interaction, adding, “I am as strict as I am affectionate.”
Also Read:‘Pass Bill in Winter Session’: Maratha quota activist reminds Eknath Shinde of deadline
Kesarkar, who belongs to the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, in response to the lady’s allegations of delayed recruitment process, termed the woman’s behaviour as indiscipline.
The video captured her expressing discontent, citing the absence of recruitment advertisements, while the minister assured that every district had been directed to issue them.
As the woman pressed for details about the advertisement’s release date, Kesarkar warned her that her behaviour might hinder her chances of securing a government job.
He highlighted the importance of discipline, stating, “I am as strict as I am affectionate. For me, my students are important. You are worried about the job and for that, I made available 30,000 jobs but if you teach the same indiscipline to students, then I won’t accept it,” the minister said, according to PTI.
Continuing to speak, the woman faced further warnings from the minister, who threatened to seek out her name and instruct officials to disqualify her.
NCP MP Supriya Sule criticised Kesarkar over the incident, urging Chief Minister Eknath Shinde to rein in his ministers.
Taking it to X she wrote, “What has really happened to these ministers?’ The question arises. A senior minister is seen threatening the people in public meetings these days. Do the Chief Minister and the Deputy Chief Minister accept their position or do they have tacit approval of all three? What exactly are these ministers afraid of? What is in their mind is their decision in the people’s court.” Sule urged the leader to apologise to that lady in the matter.
Vijay Wadettiwar, opposition leader also slammed the Shiv Sena (Shinde) leader. “I can see how strict you are, Mr. Education Minister….Maharashtra is listening to your language…Maharashtra is watching your behaviour. Will the young women who are waiting for jobs tolerate this Boss Attitude of the Minister of Education?” he stated in his post on X.
