On April 24, 2026, Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Gaikwad from Buldhana was accused of threatening publisher Prashant Ambi with death over the book ‘Shivaji Kon Hota?’ following a phone call in which he allegedly objected to the book’s content.
The accusation came from Ambi, who filed a complaint at Rajaram Puri police station, stating that Gaikwad warned him that if he did not stop publishing the book, he would face dire consequences. Gaikwad, however, denied the threat, claiming that certain words in the phone recording had been taken out of context and manipulated.
The controversy intensified when an audio clip of Gaikwad’s alleged threat went viral across Maharashtra, prompting strong reactions from political parties. Maharashtra Congress president Harshvardhan Sapkal publicly questioned why Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had not taken action against Gaikwad, citing concerns over criminal tendencies among public representatives.
Adding to the controversy, a video clip of Gaikwad’s son, Kunal Gaikwad, a municipal corporator in Buldhana, surfaced showing him making obscene gestures from the bonnet of a car during local elections. The video, which had initially circulated during the polls, resurfaced online, drawing public criticism and further damaging the family’s reputation.
Kunal Gaikwad, who serves as a group leader in the Buldhana municipal corporation, has been seen accompanying his father at public events, and the resurfaced video has led to renewed scrutiny of both father and son amid allegations of inappropriate conduct.
The publisher, Prashant Ambi, identified as an activist from the progressive movement, maintains that he is only involved in the publication and distribution of the book and has no political affiliation with the controversy beyond being its target.
Despite Gaikwad’s denial of issuing a death threat, the police have not yet confirmed whether a formal investigation has been initiated based on the complaint. The publisher insists that the recording contains clear evidence of intimidation, while Gaikwad’s supporters argue that the clip has been edited to misrepresent his intent.
The resurfacing of Kunal Gaikwad’s video has shifted public focus from the book controversy to the conduct of the MLA’s family, with citizens in Buldhana expressing disappointment over what they describe as repeated instances of inappropriate behavior by local representatives.
Political analysts note that the timing of the video’s resurgence — coinciding with heightened tensions over the book — has amplified perceptions of a pattern of misconduct, though no legal action has been taken against either Gaikwad or his son as of yet.
The book ‘Shivaji Kon Hota?’ remains at the center of the debate, with supporters framing it as a historical inquiry and opponents claiming it disrespects Shivaji Maharaj. No official ban or legal restriction on the book has been reported in connection to this case.
Did Sanjay Gaikwad actually threaten to kill the publisher?
According to the publisher’s complaint filed at Rajaram Puri police station, Gaikwad warned him of fatal consequences if he continued publishing the book. Gaikwad denies making such a threat, stating that the audio clip was edited and taken out of context.
Why did the video of Sanjay Gaikwad’s son resurface now?
>The video of Kunal Gaikwad making obscene gestures from a car bonnet, which had circulated during the municipal elections, reappeared online amid the ongoing controversy over his father’s alleged threat, prompting renewed public criticism in Buldhana.
