Union Minister Chirag Paswan has strongly condemned the recent assault on a shopkeeper in Thane, Maharashtra, allegedly for not speaking Marathi. The incident, which surfaced in a viral video, has ignited widespread outrage and debate over linguistic sensitivity and regionalism within India.
Paswan, while speaking to reporters in Vaishali, Bihar, expressed his dismay, stating, "It is beyond my understanding how many divisions will be created among Indians -- sometimes in the name of region, sometimes language, religion, or caste". He emphasized the importance of taking pride in one's mother tongue but cautioned against intolerance and violence towards those who may not understand or speak it. "I support the idea that your mother tongue should be your pride, but there needs to be enough sensitivity that if someone from outside does not understand it, it does not mean we become so intolerant and start resorting to violence," he added.
Highlighting India's multicultural fabric, Paswan emphasized that "From north to south, east to west, there are different languages and cultures. Unity in diversity has always been our identity". He also criticized certain political leaders for allegedly fostering divisive agendas for their own benefit, stating, "But some leaders, to fulfill their ambitions, engage in such divisive politics, and I condemn this".
The incident in Thane involves a shop owner who was reportedly attacked by members of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) for not communicating in Marathi. Such incidents have raised concerns about the rise of linguistic chauvinism and its potential to undermine the nation's unity.
Echoing Paswan's sentiments, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has also condemned the violence, assuring that his government will not tolerate "hooliganism" in the name of Marathi. Fadnavis stated that while pride in the Marathi language is not wrong, resorting to violence and intimidation is unacceptable. He further added that police have already filed an FIR and initiated action regarding the Thane incident and warned of strict legal action against anyone found engaging in such acts in the future.
The incident has drawn condemnation from various quarters, with many calling for stricter action against those who take the law into their own hands. Actor Ranvir Shorey also took to social media to express his condemnation of the MNS workers' actions. The incident has also sparked a wider debate about linguistic tolerance and the need to promote inclusivity in a diverse society like India.
Meanwhile, amidst the outrage, other political reactions have also surfaced. Aaditya Thackeray, from Shiv Sena (UBT), mentioned that an ex-MP, Rajan Vichare, informed him that the incident stemmed from a dispute over a mobile phone recharge service rather than solely a language barrier. Thackeray also stated that while Marathi should be respected, no language should be imposed on anyone.
