Maharashtra Forest Minister Sanjay Rathod, who was not seen in public for over two weeks after his name was linked to the death of a 22-year-old TikTok star in Pune, was spotted at a temple in Washim on Tuesday.
He reached the Pohradevi temple to pay homage to the Goddess. He was accompanied by his wife which gave a clear message that his family is supportive of him during this difficult time.
Talking to reporters after visiting the temple in Washim, the Shiv Sena leader said that “dirty politics” was being played following the woman’s “unfortunate” death. He also expressed confidence that truth will come out following a probe into the matter.
A 22-year-old TikTok star Pooja Chavan allegedly committed suicide by jumping off the Heaven Park building in Pune’s Wanawadi area on 8 February. Though rumour was abuzz about her alleged connection with the Shiv Sena leader, the Maharashtra police, probing the case, filed an accidental case and dismissed anything suspicious in the matter.
The opposition BJP in the state, however, demanded the removal of Sanjay Rathod as a minister and a comprehensive probe into the woman’s death.
On Tuesday, when the minister travelled by road from his residence in Yavatmal to the Pohradevi temple in neighbouring Washim, where he sought blessings and took part in rituals, a large number of his supporters thronged the venue, in apparent violation of the social distancing norms.
Later, in a brief interaction with the media, Sanjay Rathod said he and the Banjara community, to which belong, are pained by the woman’s death and share her family’s grief. The minister said his family and the community should not be defamed by latching on to the incident.
“The death of Puja Chavan, who belonged to our community, in Pune was unfortunate. The entire community is pained by death. Me and our entire community is part of the Puja Chavan family’s grief,” Sanjay Rathod said.
But, the kind of politics that is being played following the incident, he said, is wrong and baseless. “I can tell you that there is no substance in what is being said in the media and on social media,” he said, adding: “Inquiry is going on but still I am working and performing my duty towards society. I am confident that I will not be guilty.”