Ganesh Naik Defends Sahar Shaikh Over ‘Paint Mumbra Green’ Remark

Maharashtra Forest Minister Ganesh Naik has come out in support of AIMIM corporator Sahar Shaikh following the controversy over her statement that she would “paint Mumbra green” in the next elections. The remark had sparked political backlash and complaints alleging communal overtones.

Several political leaders, including BJP’s Kirit Somaiya and MLA Niranjan Davkhare, along with organisations such as the Bajrang Dal and Vishwa Hindu Parishad, had approached the police demanding action. During the inquiry, Sahar Shaikh submitted a written apology and later clarified that her statement referred only to her party’s flag colour and not to any communal intent.

Reacting to the issue, Ganesh Naik said that associating hostility with a colour was inappropriate. He pointed out that green is present in many political party flags as well as in the Indian national flag, and therefore such a reference should not automatically be viewed as provocative.

Naik’s statement has added a new dimension to the political debate surrounding the incident, which continues to draw reactions from various quarters in the state.

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