Pune: The recently launched "Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin" scheme, introduced by Finance Minister Ajit Pawar in the state budget, is facing significant backlash after allegations surfaced regarding unauthorized use of women's photos on promotional billboards.
Siddharth Shirole, the BJP MLA from Shivajinagar, Pune, has been accused by two women of using their images without consent in advertisements for the scheme.
The controversial billboards feature Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy Chief Ministers Ajit Pawar and Devendra Fadnavis, and MLA Siddharth Shirole, along with photos of two women. Upon discovering their unauthorized inclusion, the women lodged a complaint at the Police Commissionerate.
Two women have alleged that MLA Siddharth Shirole used their photos on these billboards without their consent. They directly approached the Police Commissionerate to file a complaint. This incident took place in Shivajinagar, Pune.
The matter was brought to light by Bhim Army official Sitaram Gangawane. Upon realizing the situation, Sitaram Gangawane led a protest in front of the billboard, demanding the removal of the women's photos.
Sitaram Gangawane described the entire incident in a Facebook post, sharing videos and photos. He wrote, "See how deceptive Eknath Shinde's 'Majhi Ladki Bahin' scheme is. The photo of the aunt and niece in this scheme was printed without their consent by this MLA."
He further added, "The woman in question has two daughters. When her husband found out, he demanded a divorce. Now, where will this woman go with her two children?"
Sitaram Gangawane also claimed that when the women went to the Police Commissionerate to file a complaint, they were ignored. However, with his intervention, he accompanied the women to the Deputy Commissioner and filed the complaint.
