Maharashtra Water Resources Minister Girish Mahajan landed in trouble for attending a school function armed with a revolver tucked in the pocket of his trousers. He was addressing an event attended by differently-abled children in Maharashtra’s Jalgaon district.

A photo of the revolver popping out of his inner pocket has caused an uproar. Opposition parties have asked for an explanation and demanded action against Mahajan for carrying a weapon while addressing a children’s function.

Talking to The Indian Express, Mahajan said, “I have been in possession of a small revolver for security purposes for the last 25 years. Since then, it has stayed with me. It is always kept in the inner pocket of the trousers… It is a licenced weapon. There’s nothing illegal in carrying it.”

“I have to often travel extensively in the state’s interior areas late at night. I have never misused the revolver. I have neither displayed the weapon in public, nor used against anybody,” Mahajan said.

“On Saturday, I was at a function giving away some food and study material to children. While getting up from the floor, it jutted out from my pocket slightly. Someone spotted it and has created an uproar.”

However, Congress and NCP leaders have decided to raise the matter in the state Assembly and Council on Monday. The Leader of Opposition in Council, Dhananjay Munde said, “Why does Mahajan need to carry a revolver in a school’s function? This Bihar style does not suit Maharashtra. Does he not trust the sate police?”

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