Pune BJP Leader Jagdish Mulik rides sport bike, sparks helmet debate

Jagdish Mulik, a former MLA from Pune's Wadgaon Sheri constituency, recently posted a video on social media showing him riding a sport bike without a helmet. This act has sparked a debate among netizens, who criticized him for not adhering to safety regulations, especially in light of increasing accident rates and ongoing helmet enforcement efforts by local authorities. Mulik's actions have raised concerns about the responsibility of public figures to set a positive example for the community. In the 2014 Maharashtra Legislative Assembly elections, Mulik was elected as an MLA, but he faced defeat in the 2019 elections against Sunil Tingre from the Nationalist Congress Party, losing by a margin of nearly 5,000 votes. His political career has seen ups and downs, and he was recently overlooked by the BJP for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, where Murlidhar Mohol was chosen as the party's candidate. Despite the setback, Mulik has expressed his commitment to serving the public, although he did not publicly support Mohol after the announcement. His silence contrasted with other party members who actively endorsed the chosen candidate. This situation reflects the internal dynamics within the BJP and the challenges faced by its members in maintaining unity and public support. The incident of riding without a helmet not only highlights Mulik's personal choices but also serves as a reminder of the broader issue of road safety and the importance of compliance with traffic regulations. As a public figure, his actions are scrutinized, and they can influence public perception and behavior regarding safety practices.