Archive · 9 Aug 2026
Sule Slams 'Gungi Gudiya' Remark; Congress Leadership Disowns It
A political party called the Congress posted a message on social media about a leader named Sunetra Pawar.
The post called her a 'silent doll' because a fellow lawmaker stopped her from answering reporters' questions.
Another leader named Supriya Sule said this was not a nice thing to say.
The top leaders of the Congress party said the post was made by a small local team and is not what the whole party believes.
But the head of Congress in Maharashtra, Harshwardhan Sapkal, said the words were not rude.
People who support Sunetra Pawar's party were upset and held protests.
Sunetra Pawar is the Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, a big state in India.
Supriya Sule also said that eight lawmakers will meet the Prime Minister to talk about problems like water shortages and farmer suicides.
The lawmakers will meet him at 11 a.m.
on Monday at his office in Parliament.
NCP (SP) working president Supriya Sule called the Maharashtra Congress' 'Gungi Gudiya' (silent doll) remark against Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar inappropriate.
The Congress' national leadership clarified that the post was made by the Maharashtra Congress' local IT cell and did not reflect the party's official stand.
The controversy erupted after a Maharashtra Congress post on X showed NCP MLA Dhananjay Munde stopping Sunetra Pawar from answering questions on the law-and-order situation in Beed district.
Maharashtra Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal defended the remark, saying the term was not objectionable and calling the controversy a misunderstanding.
Eight NCP (SP) MPs will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday at 11 a.m. to raise water shortages, farmer suicides and urbanization challenges in Maharashtra.
- Who
- Supriya Sule, Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar, Maharashtra Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal, NCP MLA Dhananjay Munde and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
- What
- A political controversy over the Maharashtra Congress' 'Gungi Gudiya' (silent doll) remark against Sunetra Pawar.
- When
- Saturday, when the remark drew criticism and clarifications; eight NCP (SP) MPs are due to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday at 11 a.m.
- Where
- Mumbai and other parts of Maharashtra, India; the MP delegation will meet the Prime Minister at his office in Parliament.
- Why
- Because a Maharashtra Congress post on X showed Munde preventing Pawar from answering questions about the law-and-order situation in Beed district, and the post called her a 'silent doll'.
Critics of the Remark
Defenders of the Remark
Appropriateness of the 'Gungi Gudiya' Remark
Critics of the Remark
Supriya Sule, the NCP and the BJP said the remark against Sunetra Pawar was inappropriate, and NCP workers staged protests against the Congress and Sapkal.
Defenders of the Remark
Maharashtra Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal defended the post, saying the term 'Gungi Gudiya' was not objectionable and that the controversy was a misunderstanding.
Official Status of the Post
Critics of the Remark
Sule said she raised the issue with the Congress central leadership, which clarified that the post was made by the Maharashtra Congress' local IT cell and did not represent the national Congress' position.
Defenders of the Remark
Sapkal and other Maharashtra Congress leaders subsequently backed the remark, with Sapkal saying he tried to contact Pawar but could not establish contact.
- Event
- 'Gungi Gudiya' (silent doll) remark controversy in Maharashtra politics
- Target of Remark
- Sunetra Pawar, Deputy Chief Minister and NCP national president
- Who Criticized the Remark
- Supriya Sule, the NCP and the BJP
- National Congress Position
- The post was made by the Maharashtra Congress' local IT cell and did not represent the national Congress' position
- Maharashtra Congress Position
- President Harshwardhan Sapkal said the term was not objectionable and it was a misunderstanding
- Origin
- Video on X showing NCP MLA Dhananjay Munde blocking Sunetra Pawar's questions on Beed district law and order
- Protests
- NCP workers staged protests against the Congress and Sapkal at several places in Maharashtra
- Upcoming Meeting
- Eight NCP (SP) MPs to meet PM Modi on Monday at 11 a.m. over Maharashtra issues