Sena UBT MP Sanjay Raut Uses Cuss Words in Press Conference, Defends Language
Quick Look
- Sena UBT MP Sanjay Raut used profanity at a press conference to describe party defectors, defending his language as common in Maharashtra and citing its use in media.
- He also alleged defectors were offered Rs 50 crore and favorable court verdicts.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Profanity has become increasingly normalized in public forums, featuring in stand-up comedy, films, and OTT shows. A 2019 Amnesty study found a significant portion of tweets directed at women politicians in India were problematic or abusive.
Long confined to street-corner arguments, village chaupals and late-night college addas, cuss words such as 'b...sdi' and 'g...u' found a place in mainstream political discourse on Wednesday, with Sena UBT's Sanjay Raut using them at a presser to describe defectors, and then telling reporters, "Don't cut it, run it. "
When questioned on his language, Rajya Sabha MP Raut was unrepentant: "This is how it is used in Maharashtra... I am the editor of Saamana, I know the language."
The remark marks a new low in political discourse, though profanity has increasingly been normalised in public forums. Once used to express rage or, at times, affection, abuses have become markers of cool. They feature prominently in stand-up comedy, Bollywood films such as 'Dev D', 'Gulaal' and 'Omkara', and many OTT shows.
On social media, abusive language is frequently used to target people, especially women. A 2019 Amnesty study found that one in seven tweets directed at women netas in India was either "problematic or abusive".
As reports emerged that six to seven of Sena UBT's nine LS MPs were preparing to walk out, Raut branded the suspected rebels "cowardly foxes" and mocked their flight to Delhi on a chartered plane. Yet the bravado sat oddly beside his insistence that nobody was defecting.
Raut repeatedly claimed a "wrong picture is being painted"and that all 11 MPs, including two RS members, remained "100% with Thackeray".
Raut earlier alleged each MP was offered Rs 15 crore to defect. On Wednesday, he escalated the charge, claiming each defector was promised Rs 50 crore, with Rs 15 crore paid as advance. He alleged that Dharashiv MP Omraje Nimbalkar was offered a favourable verdict in his father's murder case to switch sides.
Raut, Arvind Sawant and Anil Desai met Speaker Om Birla and submitted a letter arguing that a breakaway "group" cannot merge. Birla assured them rules would be followed.
Meanwhile, suspected rebels remained in Delhi and were expected to seek recognition as a separate group backing the Shinde-led Sena.
Minister Uday Samant said leaders from Sena (UBT) would cross over "in phases".
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
More Sena UBT leaders may defect in phases.
Likely · Within weeks
Open Questions
- Will more MPs defect from Sena UBT?
- Will the Speaker recognize a breakaway group?
- What is the outcome of the pending SC battle for the 'real Shiv Sena'?
