BJP forces Congress leader to wear saree over Modi image.
The Congress functionary announced that he would formally lodge a complaint against the BJP workers, demanding strict legal action. He emphasized that their actions were not only humiliating but also amounted to caste-based discrimination, and therefore should be addressed under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
Thane incident: Congress leader humiliated, vows legal action against BJP workers
In a disturbing political confrontation in Thane, local BJP workers allegedly forced a 72-year-old Congress functionary to wear a saree in public as punishment for sharing a morphed photograph of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on social media. The incident, which unfolded on Tuesday, has sparked outrage, not only for the public humiliation but also for the allegations of casteist slurs and physical assault.
The Congress leader, known locally as Mama alias Prakash Pagare, found himself at the center of the controversy after he posted an edited image of Prime Minister Modi. The image, considered offensive by BJP workers, triggered an angry reaction from party members in the Kalyan-Dombivli region.
On Tuesday morning, Pagare was intercepted on Manpada Road in the Domibvli area by BJP’s Kalyan president Nandu Parab and several other party workers. What followed was both dramatic and humiliating. The group forcibly draped a saree—described as a “shalu,” an expensive traditional garment—around him, making him stand in the middle of the road as onlookers watched in shock.
“We made Mama Pagare wear a shalu on the street,” Parab later admitted, defending the act as a response to what he termed an attempt by Pagare to “defame” the Prime Minister.
A video of the incident quickly surfaced online, drawing widespread criticism and raising questions about the rising intolerance in political discourse. The visuals showed a visibly shaken Pagare being mocked in public, his dignity stripped away under the gaze of strangers.
For Pagare, however, the humiliation went far beyond being forced into women’s clothing. Later, he alleged that BJP workers went further, using casteist slurs against him and even slapping him during the confrontation. For a man in his seventies, who has spent decades in grassroots politics, the incident was both physically painful and emotionally scarring.
“This was not just about making me wear a saree,” Pagare said. “They hurled casteist insults at me, they slapped me, and they tried to crush my spirit in full public view. This is not acceptable in a democracy.”
The Congress functionary has now vowed to pursue legal action. He stated that he would lodge a formal complaint under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, a stringent law meant to protect individuals from caste-based violence and humiliation. “This mob mentality and the encroachment on my personal freedom will not be tolerated,” he said firmly, signaling that the matter will be fought both legally and politically.
Congress leaders in the region have thrown their weight behind Pagare, condemning the incident as an outright violation of human rights and democratic values. Party representatives have called it an assault not just on one individual but on the very principles of political coexistence. “Differences in ideology should be debated in Parliament or public forums, not on the streets through acts of humiliation and violence,” said one Congress spokesperson.
BJP leaders, however, appeared unapologetic. While some sought to downplay the incident, others openly defended the action, claiming it was symbolic punishment for insulting the Prime Minister. Their stance has fueled further debate about whether political loyalty can justify vigilante-style behavior.
The incident has also drawn attention from social activists, who argue that it highlights the intersection of political intimidation and caste prejudice. Forcing someone to wear attire against their will, especially in public, is a deeply humiliating act. Coupled with the alleged casteist slurs, the episode exposes the darker undercurrents that continue to plague Indian politics.
Local residents who witnessed the incident expressed discomfort at the public spectacle. “Even if he shared something wrong, there are legal ways to deal with it. No one has the right to insult an elderly man on the street like that,” said a shopkeeper in Domibvli. Another bystander added, “It was shameful to watch. People laughed, but many of us felt uneasy seeing such behavior.”
For Pagare and his family, the incident has left a lasting scar. His supporters describe him as a soft-spoken man who has served his community for decades, and they view the humiliation as an attack not just on him but on their collective dignity.
As the matter heads towards legal proceedings, the political fallout is likely to intensify. With the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act in play, the BJP workers involved could face serious consequences if charges are proven. At the same time, the Congress party is expected to use the incident as an example of what it calls the BJP’s “authoritarian and intolerant approach.”
Beyond the politics, however, lies a simple truth: a 72-year-old man was publicly humiliated, allegedly abused, and left to fight for his dignity in a society that promises equality and justice. His words sum it up best: “This is not about me alone. If such things are allowed, tomorrow it can happen to anyone. We must stand against it.”