![Shiv Sena MP Ravindra Gaikwad, who beat Air India staffer, says he made Parliament "proud", won't apologise](https://english.cdn.zeenews.com/sites/default/files/2017/03/24/580849-ravindra-gaikwad-anipic.jpg "Shiv Sena MP Ravindra Gaikwad, who beat Air India staffer, says he made Parliament "proud", won't apologise")
New Delhi: Unfazed by criticism, Shiv Sena MP Ravindra Gaikwad, who on Thursday repeatedly hit a 60-year-old Air India officer with a sandal, said on Friday that he would not tender an apology.
Gaikwad, speaking in a defiant tone, asked why should he apologise. “First ask him (victim) to apologise, then we will see,” said the MP.
When asked about Air India's decision to blacklist him, Gaikwad told reporters at the Maharashtra Sadan here this morning that his flight is scheduled to take off at 4:15 pm and he would board it. “Let the Delhi Police arrest me,” said the lawmaker from Maharashtra. He further said his party (Shiv Sena) and its chief Uddhav Thackeray will take care of the matter.
He also said that he has no regret over his actions, saying "kaahe ka pashchaataap (what is there to repent)?"
"I will not apologise...He (AI Manager Sukumar) should come and apologise... Then we will see. A 60-year-old man should also know how to behave," he said.
The first-time lawmaker also said he had made Parliament "proud", when asked if his act has brought shame to the temple of democracy.
Meanwhile, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan said she cannot take suo motu action and that she will take a call if it is brought to her notice in the House.
"I always say every human being should behave in a nice manner with everyone...Whosoever it is, your behaviour should be good with everyone. As a mother I would suggest that to everyone. I will understand everything and then I will comment," she told reporters before entering the house.
Gaikwad also said that he has had no conversation with his party chief Uddhav Thackeray since the incident and added that he has written to the Lok Sabha Speaker and Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathy Raju regarding the incident.
#WATCH: Shiv Sena MP R.Gaikwad who assaulted AI Staff says, "won't apologise,not my mistake. Vo (victim) pehle maafi mange fir dekhenge." pic.twitter.com/T8IwCaNsmO
— ANI (@ANI_news) March 24, 2017
Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathy Raju promised that action would be taken against him.
"It was an unfortunate incident. It should never have happened. What has to happen (now), will happen. I am not saying no action has to be taken. Action has to be taken and we will do it. That is not the problem at all."
"I am also an MP. We are not above the law and we have to follow the law of the land," he told reporters outside the House.
In a brazen burst of fury over being unable to travel business class despite having insisted on boarding an all-economy flight, Gaikwad had repeatedly hit a 60-year-old Air India officer with a sandal.
The national carrier has filed two FIRs against the MP, while the Shiv Sena has sought an explanation from him.
