Maharashtra Minister Criticizes Assaults Over Language, Questions Celebrities' Marathi Speaking Skills

Days after a group of men allegedly affiliated with the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) assaulted a shopkeeper in Mira Road for not speaking Marathi, state minister Nitesh Rane challenged them to 'show courage and go to areas like Null Bazaar and Mohammed Ali Road and tell people there to speak Marathi.' Reacting sharply to the incident, Rane questioned why celebrities who do not speak Marathi are never targeted. 'Do Javed Akhtar, Aamir Khan speak in Marathi?' He also defended the state government, claiming it was elected by Hindus and follows a Hindutva ideology. Taking an aggressive tone, Rane warned critics not to test the government’s patience, declaring that they may be forced to 'open their third eye.'

According to the FIR filed at Kashimira police station, seven unidentified men, allegedly wearing MNS badges, entered the shop around 10.30 am asking for water. A worker, who reportedly hails from another state, responded in Hindi—sparking a heated exchange. 'They said I need to know Marathi if I want to work here. When I said that people in Maharashtra speak many languages, they got angrier and slapped me,' Chaudhary told police. 'They recorded the video and circulated it online,' he added. The men allegedly insisted that all workers in the state must know Marathi.

An MNS office-bearer defended the group, claiming the shopkeeper was 'arrogant' and had provoked the argument by saying all languages were spoken in Maharashtra. The men had earlier been at Balaji Park to celebrate the state government's withdrawal of its three-language formula, which had triggered opposition protests over possible 'Hindi imposition.' Police have registered a case against the unidentified assailants and are verifying the video and identities.

According to the source: Times of India.