Maharashtra: Milk Offered to Photo of IPS Anjana Krishna After Verbal Clash with Ajit Pawar
Karmala, 7th September 2025: A unique protest unfolded in Karmala, Solapur district, where farmers of the Janshakti Shetkari Sanghatana performed a milk abhisheka (milk bath) on the photograph of IPS officer Anjana Krishna. The demonstration came after a video went viral showing Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar scolding Krishna over her action against illegal murum excavation.
Led by Janshakti Shetkari Sanghatana president Atul Khupse Patil, farmers poured milk on a photo of her, displayed banners, and raised slogans demanding an apology from Ajit Pawar. Protesters also offered prayers to the local deity Ai Kamala Bhavani, declaring their solidarity with the woman officer.
“Such a protest is meant to boost the morale of IPS Anjana Krishna. Maharashtra will never tolerate insults to our sister,” Khupse Patil said. Slogans of “Ajit Pawar maafi mango” (Ajit Pawar apologize) echoed in the rally. Banners declared, “This is Shivaji’s Maharashtra, where women are respected.”
The unusual show of support has drawn parallels with earlier demonstrations held in Beed for then District Collector Sunil Kendrekar, suggesting that officers in conflict with political leaders are gaining public sympathy.
What Triggered the Dispute?
Anjana Krishna, who is posted as Deputy Superintendent of Police in Karmala, had gone to act against illegal murum excavation. During the operation, Ajit Pawar allegedly called her on a party worker’s mobile phone and ordered her to stop the action, introducing himself as the Deputy Chief Minister.
When Krishna questioned why he did not call her on her official number, Pawar reportedly grew angry. “We will take action against you, why have you become so daring?” he is heard saying in the viral clip. He then made a WhatsApp video call to her and repeated his order to halt the drive.
Following the controversy, Pawar clarified that Krishna initially failed to recognize him since the call was made from another person’s phone, which he claimed led to the heated exchange.
The incident has since snowballed into a political flashpoint, with farmer groups and civil society members hailing Krishna’s stance as an example of integrity and resistance against political pressure.
