The slapping of a canteen employee by Sanjay Gaikwad, Shiv Sena (Shinde) MLA, on Wednesday has created an uproar. The view showing him slapping the canteen guy has gone viral.

Gaikwad was undeniably served stale dal at the MLAs' canteen, which enraged him. There can be no two opinions that the 'aamdar' should not have raised his hands, however, his right to protest against stale food being served to him should be upheld. The MLA canteen was never known for hygiene and not to mention that housekeeping is pathetically poor.

The place is forever crowded with people from rural Maharashtra, who live cheek-by-jowl with legislators from their constituency, and their only source of food is the canteen. Many of these people are poor and the canteen contractor doesn't dish out the best of food.

There is a separate section for MLAs and if stale food is being served in this VIP section also then one can well imagine the quality of stuff dished out for commoners. Actually, the award of the catering contract is often mired in controversy.

Inspectors from the food and drug administration have taken samples of the food from the canteen. Instead of waiting for their report, the government should show the nearest door to the current contractor and appoint someone committed to quality and hygiene.