In Haryana, row after Congress MLA Gokul Setia’s ‘Sholay’ dialogue for BJP’s MC chairman Veer Shanti Swaroop

Hisar: A political storm has erupted in Sirsa district following Congress MLA Gokul Setia's controversial remarks against newly-elected municipal council chairman Veer Shanti Swaroop.
Setia's comments, referencing a famous dialogue from the film Sholay, have drawn sharp criticism and legal threats from the BJP leader.
The controversy arose after the Congress candidate's defeat in the Sirsa municipal council elections. Interacting with a social media influencer, Setia remarked: "Now, we will say, Shanti inn kutton ke aage mat nachna (don't dance in front of these dogs). We hope he will do good work."
His statement was perceived as a direct insult to the newly elected chairman, prompting Swaroop to announce plans to file a defamation case and an FIR against the MLA.
Reacting strongly to Setia's statement, Veer Shanti Swaroop said: "I will initiate legal action against the MLA under defamation laws and the SC/ST Act. Such comments can only come from someone under the influence of intoxication."
Swaroop also claimed that Setia's remarks had offended not only the BJP, but also members of the Valmiki community, triggering widespread resentment.
Veer Shanti Swaroop, addressing the media, denounced Setia's comments as "cheap political tactics". He alleged that only "a drug addict can resort to such personal attacks". Swaroop also accused Setia of attempting to insult the BJP leadership, including Haryana chief minister Nayab Singh Saini.
During an interview, Setia had defended his party's performance in the elections, emphasising that the Congress had won nine council seats. "Nine is not a small number. Our chairman candidate secured 28,000 votes on his own, while the BJP and others collectively managed 40,000. This proves that those aligned with the BJP lack individual credibility," he said.
Expressing disappointment over the election outcome, Setia lamented that his efforts to curb corruption in Sirsa might now be undone. "We had undertaken significant work in the last three months. People will now realise what we achieved. Unfortunately, the public have once again pushed Sirsa into darkness," he said.
The Congress leader pledged to continue fulfilling his responsibilities as an MLA, but insisted that governance would now rest in the hands of those elected.
Meanwhile, BJP leader Gobind Kanda dismissed Setia's remarks, calling him "an immature politician". Kanda remarked: "Such disgraceful words should not be used. The MLA's conduct in Sirsa, after his past electoral victory, was shameful, and today, the people of Sirsa have given him a crushing defeat. His recent statements only reflect the frustration of losing."