Maharashtra Minister Ashish Shelar on Friday, 9 October 2026, sharply criticised Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, saying that defending American industrialist Elon Musk while simultaneously attacking the Indian government amounted to an 'act of dishonesty' toward India's administrative system. Shelar, who holds charge of Cultural Affairs, Electronics, Information Technology and Artificial Intelligence Development in the Maharashtra government, made the remarks while speaking to reporters in Mumbai.

Shelar's Case Against Rahul Gandhi

Shelar argued that the United States was actively imposing restrictions on Indian technology companies, creating an adverse environment for young Indians employed in the sector. Against that backdrop, he contended, siding with an American industrialist was not merely a political difference of opinion but a betrayal of Indian workers' interests.

The minister said Gandhi had chosen to amplify reactions originating from the United States without waiting for the Central Government or the relevant authorities to arrive at a considered decision on the Starlink security verification process. According to Shelar, officials had already clarified that work on the security verification framework concerning Musk and Starlink was underway and that an appropriate decision would follow in due course.

Opposition Protests Tagged 'Grammar of Anarchy'

Shelar also turned his attention to the Opposition's ongoing demonstrations in Delhi against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process. He described the protests as questioning the country's institutions and called them the 'grammar of anarchy.' He maintained that Parliament's Lok Sabha offered a constitutionally recognised platform to raise every concern, and that Opposition leaders were bypassing it by choosing street protests over legislative debate.

Shelar Takes Aim at Emergency Remark

The minister also criticised Abhijit Dipke over a reported statement in which Dipke allegedly said that an Emergency had been imposed in the country. Shelar said Dipke's grasp of civics appeared weak. 'If Abhijit Dipke believes that an Emergency has been imposed in the country, he clearly does not understand what an Emergency means,' Shelar said. He challenged Dipke to ask the Indian National Congress (Congress) what the Emergency period actually entailed — specifically whether citizens were free to speak and write during that time.

CJP Protest Criticised

Shelar also took a swipe at the CJP protest, describing it as a tactical manoeuvre designed to outflank the Congress politically rather than a genuine expression of civic concern. He did not elaborate on the specifics of the protest but framed it as an opportunistic political gambit.

Background and What to Watch

The remarks come amid a broader political flashpoint over the Indian government's security vetting process for Starlink's entry into the domestic market. The Centre has maintained that the verification framework is procedural, while Opposition figures have used Musk's public statements as a lever to question government intent. With Parliament's next session on the horizon, pressure is likely to build on both sides to bring the debate into the legislative arena.