2 July, 2025-A disturbing video has surfaced online, capturing members of Raj Thackeray’s Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) physically assaulting a shopkeeper for allegedly refusing to converse in Marathi. The incident, which quickly gained traction on social media, comes amid heightened linguistic tensions following the state government’s recent decision to withdraw the mandatory three-language policy in schools.
In the video, a group of MNS workers can be seen aggressively confronting the shopkeeper, verbally abusing him, and eventually resorting to violence. The altercation reportedly stemmed from the shopkeeper’s preference to speak in Hindi, which the MNS members took as a slight against the Marathi language. The footage shows them forcing the individual to apologize, while threatening others nearby with similar treatment if Marathi is not respected.
The attack occurred as MNS cadres were publicly celebrating the Mahayuti coalition government’s move to revoke a previous directive mandating the inclusion of Marathi, Hindi, and English as compulsory languages in school curricula. Raj Thackeray had been a vocal critic of the three-language formula, arguing that Marathi should remain the primary language in educational and administrative spheres within Maharashtra.
Following the incident, public outrage has mounted, with several civil society groups and opposition parties condemning the violent actions of the MNS workers. Critics have accused the party of exploiting linguistic nationalism to incite fear and divide communities.
“The assault over language preference is deeply concerning,” said a local rights activist. “This is not about preserving culture—it’s about bullying people into submission. Language cannot be imposed through intimidation.”
In response, MNS leaders have neither condemned the incident nor distanced the party from the workers involved. Instead, a senior MNS spokesperson defended the actions, stating that citizens residing in Maharashtra must respect and use Marathi, especially in public interactions. This stance has further polarized opinions across the state.
Meanwhile, the state administration has yet to issue a formal statement addressing the video or promising legal action against those involved. Opposition parties, including the Congress and NCP, have demanded swift action and urged the government to ensure the rule of law is upheld.
The controversy also raises broader questions about the balance between regional identity and national linguistic diversity. While Marathi holds official status in Maharashtra, the state’s cosmopolitan demographics include large communities that primarily speak Hindi, Urdu, Gujarati, and other languages. Many citizens fear that incidents like this could create an atmosphere of intolerance and disrupt the social fabric of multilingual urban centers.
As the video continues to circulate and public pressure mounts, all eyes are on the Mahayuti government’s next move—whether it will condemn the violence and act against the perpetrators, or remain silent in the face of growing linguistic vigilantism.
