A recent incident in Thane, Maharashtra, has brought the issue of linguistic chauvinism to the forefront after a food stall owner was allegedly assaulted by workers from the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) for not speaking Marathi. The incident, which took place in the Bhayander area, has sparked outrage and led to the brief arrest of some MNS workers, who were later released on bail bonds, according to reports.
The incident occurred on Tuesday when a group of men, some wearing scarves bearing the MNS symbol, approached the stall owner. According to the stall owner, Baboolal Khimaji Choudhary, the men inquired about his identity and asserted that a new proposal required all businesses to hire Marathi-speaking staff and operate in Marathi. When Choudhary questioned the existence of such a proposal, the situation escalated, and the men allegedly assaulted him. A video of the assault went viral on social media, further intensifying public anger.
Police have registered an FIR against unidentified individuals under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The charges include assault, criminal intimidation, intentional insult, and promoting enmity based on language. Authorities have identified three individuals involved in the assault as Karan Kandangire, MNS's deputy city chief; Pramod Nilekat, a party district organizer; and Akshay Dalvi, an MNS worker.
The MNS has been actively promoting the use of Marathi in commercial establishments and banks. This incident has raised concerns about the methods employed by the party to further its agenda. While some MNS leaders have defended the actions of their workers, others, including Minister of State for Home Yogesh Kadam, have condemned the violence and emphasized that disrespect towards the Marathi language will not be tolerated.
The incident has drawn criticism from various quarters, with trade unions condemning the assault. However, some MNS workers have remained unapologetic, with one telling NDTV that they are willing to go to jail for the cause of Marathi. This stance has further fueled the controversy and raised questions about the MNS's approach to promoting linguistic pride.
The incident occurred shortly after the Maharashtra government withdrew its orders on the implementation of the three-language policy in the state, which the opposition termed as "Hindi imposition". This backdrop adds another layer of complexity to the situation, highlighting the sensitive nature of language politics in the region.
The police are continuing their investigations and analyzing the viral video to identify all those involved. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of respecting linguistic diversity and avoiding violence in the pursuit of linguistic or cultural agendas.
