In a recent incident that has gained widespread attention, a woman in Mumbai’s Govandi area has alleged that she and several men were assaulted by associates of Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Abu Azmi. The woman, appearing in a video that has gone viral, claims that her clothes were torn and she was physically attacked after visiting Azmi’s office in Govandi to complain about the worsening issues of garbage accumulation and clogged gutters in the Rafiq Nagar area.
Samajwadi Party's Abu Azmi's goons allegedly tore the clothes of this female and beaten others because they went to complain about garbage and over flowing gutters in his constituency.
— Megh Updates 🚨™ (@MeghUpdates) November 7, 2024
Viral video claimed to be from Shivaji Nagar, Govandi, Mumbai. pic.twitter.com/WNIsYqY4z5
According to her statement in the video, the altercation began when she raised her grievances to Fahad Azmi, another SP leader, regarding the unhygienic conditions affecting local residents. She claims that Azmi’s associates reacted aggressively, targeting her and others accompanying her, allegedly resulting in torn clothing and injuries. The video footage shows the woman displaying her torn clothes and wounds, while other individuals in her group are also seen with injuries, including one man who appears to be bleeding. Toward the end of the video, the group states their intention to file a formal police complaint about the assault.
Despite the serious allegations, neither Abu Azmi nor the Samajwadi Party has issued an official response to the incident as of now. Local police are yet to confirm any formal complaint or initiate an investigation based on the viral video. The lack of immediate action has raised concerns among residents and social media users, sparking further criticism over the conditions in Govandi and the response by public officials.
This incident comes at a sensitive time, as Maharashtra is preparing for its Assembly elections, and Govandi’s Shivaji Nagar constituency is one of the highly contested areas. Abu Azmi, who currently holds the seat, faces a competitive race against Nawab Malik of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), which is now aligned with Ajit Pawar. Another major candidate, Suresh Patil from the Shiv Sena faction led by Eknath Shinde, is also vying for the seat, adding a new layer of competition in the Muslim-majority area. The incident could have potential implications for Azmi’s political campaign, as local issues such as infrastructure and sanitation remain a primary concern for constituents.
This developing story highlights a deeper debate on the management of public services in Govandi, where residents have frequently raised concerns about the unsanitary conditions, especially in areas with poor waste management and drainage systems.
