A shopkeeper in Thane was allegedly assaulted by MNS workers for not speaking Marathi
Slaps Over Speech: What Happened in Thane?
MNS Workers Assault Shopkeeper – On Sunday night in Thane’s Mira Road area, a disturbing video surfaced showing Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) workers confronting and slapping a shopkeeper for not speaking Marathi. The footage, now viral, captures a heated exchange where the shopkeeper is questioned, threatened, and physically assaulted for allegedly asking, “Why should I speak Marathi?”
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Despite the shopkeeper’s attempts to clarify, stating that all languages are spoken in Maharashtra and expressing willingness to learn Marathi, he was repeatedly slapped by at least two men. One MNS worker can be heard warning, “You won’t be allowed to do business here if you don’t comply.”
The Kashimira Police have registered a case against seven MNS workers, and investigations are underway. The incident has sparked widespread outrage, with many condemning the use of violence to enforce linguistic preferences.
Politics of Language: From Policy Reversal to Street-Level Intimidation
The assault comes just hours after the Maharashtra government revoked two key resolutions tied to the National Education Policy’s three-language formula. The policy, which proposed Hindi as a third language in schools, had faced stiff opposition from regional parties like the MNS and Shiv Sena (UBT), who viewed it as an attempt to dilute Marathi identity.
MNS chief Raj Thackeray has been vocal against what he calls “Hindi imposition”, asserting that Marathi must remain the dominant language in Maharashtra. “Hindi is not the rashtra bhasha (national language) to be imposed on other states,” he said recently.
The party had planned a protest rally against the policy, but following the government’s rollback, it has now been rebranded as “Marathi Vijay Diwas”, a celebration of what they call a victory for Marathi pride. The rally will also mark the first joint appearance of Raj Thackeray and his cousin Uddhav Thackeray in nearly two decades.
Critics argue that while cultural preservation is valid, enforcing language through intimidation undermines democratic values and alienates non-Marathi speakers who contribute to the state’s economy and diversity.
Identity or Intolerance? The Broader Implications
The Thane incident has reignited a long-standing debate in India: Where does cultural pride end and coercion begin? Maharashtra, like many Indian states, is a mosaic of languages, with large populations of Hindi, Gujarati, Urdu, and South Indian language speakers living alongside native Marathi speakers.
While regional languages deserve protection and promotion, violence in the name of identity risks turning pride into prejudice. Social media reactions have been sharply divided—some defending the MNS’s stance on linguistic respect, others condemning the assault as “mob justice masquerading as activism.”
Legal experts warn that such incidents, if unchecked, could set a dangerous precedent. “No political party has the authority to enforce language through violence. This is a clear violation of constitutional rights,” said senior advocate Meera Bhide.
Meanwhile, civil society groups have called for greater awareness, inclusive language policies, and legal action against vigilante behavior. The incident also raises questions about the role of political parties in shaping not just policy, but public behavior.
Conclusion:
The Thane assault is more than a local skirmish, it’s a flashpoint in India’s ongoing struggle to balance linguistic diversity with regional identity. As Maharashtra reconsiders its language policies, the need for dialogue, empathy, and lawful conduct has never been more urgent. Because in a country of 22 official languages and countless dialects, respect not repression must be the mother tongue of democracy.
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