It recently came to light that a fraudulent godman from Nashik, named Ashok Kharat, sexually and financially exploited hundreds of women across the state. Several videos where he was actually seen doing so went viral. Gaining the trust of these women, who were distressed by their daily domestic issues, he subsequently subjected them to sexual abuse under the pretext of resolving their problems. He tortured them mentally and physically by threatening that if they ever tried to expose him, he would use his “divine powers” to kill their husbands and children. He also extorted lakhs of rupees from women, for various so-called rituals. 

The most shameful aspect of this entire affair was that Rupali Chakankar, the chairperson of the State Women’s Commission — an institution formed to protect women's rights, was herself implicated in the scandal. Following the exposure of her role in this entire episode, she was compelled to resign. However, 39 sitting MLAs, who include Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and other ministers, and administrative officials who were involved in this matter, have not even been called for the enquiry, leave alone taking any punitive action against them. Further, the BJP-led state government of Maharashtra had provided a fund of Rs 1.5 crore to this fraud to build a temple in Nashik, in addition to other favours. This entire episode has cast a stigma on the entire state.

On April 6, 2026, the Maharashtra state committee of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) organised large statewide protests, pressing for just demands like: this entire matter be subjected to a thorough, high-level, independent, and time-bound inquiry; that the harshest possible punishment be meted out to all those found guilty; that the names of all 39 MLAs implicated in the case be made public and they resign; that all assets belonging to Ashok Kharat be confiscated; and that legal action be initiated under all relevant statutes — specifically those pertaining to sexual and financial exploitation, fraud, and the spreading of superstition.

These demonstrations took place at over 60 locations in 29 districts with a total mobilisation of more than 5,000 people. The main districts were Thane-Palghar (7 centres/1,000 mobilised), Solapur (1/1,500), Nashik (4/1,000), followed by Beed, Parbhani, Mumbai, Ahilyanagar, Kolhapur, Amravati, Pune, Wardha, Nanded, Nandurbar, Sangli, Hingoli, Satara, and Sambhajinagar. 

Additionally, memorandums were submitted by the CPI(M) to the district collectors or tehsildars in the following districts: Dhule, Jalna, Akola, Latur, Yavatmal, Chandrapur, Nagpur, Buldana, Raigad, Gadchiroli, Sindhudurg, and Ratnagiri. However, this is not sufficient. If the above-mentioned demands are not fulfilled, the agitation will be intensified.

Soon after the scandal broke, on March 22, 2026 the AIDWA Maharashtra state committee issued a press release demanding immediate resignation of Rupali Chakankar, and strict action against all the guilty in this scandalous episode. The AIDWA held demonstrations from March 23 to 30 at several district centres. It will now launch a two-month campaign all over the state against superstition among women and the resulting exploitation. In the demonstrations of April 6 too, AIDWA women participated in large numbers.