Mumbai: A fresh controversy over language erupted in Mumbai’s Ghatkopar when a woman was allegedly harassed by a group of individuals for not speaking Marathi. A video of the incident, which quickly went viral on July 20, shows the woman being surrounded and confronted outside her residence by several people who demanded that she speak in Marathi.
Viral Video Shows Woman Forced To Speak Marathi
According to the woman, identified as Sanjira Devi, she was standing near her home when a group of men blocked her path. When she asked them to move aside, they reportedly insisted she speak in Marathi, reported NDTV. Upon refusing, an argument broke out. In the video, one of the men can be seen aggressively pointing a finger at her and shouting, “Speak in Marathi. This is Maharashtra.” Others in the group echoed similar sentiments, continuing to shout at her.
The woman, however, responded by stating her linguistic freedom, saying, “No, you speak in Hindi. Tell me, aren’t you Indian? Are you not from Hindustan?” The confrontation escalated briefly before a crowd gathered at the spot, and someone informed the police. By the time the police arrived, the accused individuals had fled. This incident has added to a growing number of similar confrontations in the city surrounding the use of language in public spaces.
Marwari Businessman Assaulted, Paraded By MNS Workers Over Anti-Marathi WhatsApp Status
Just days earlier, on July 16, a local businessman in Vikhroli’s Tagore Nagar area was allegedly assaulted by Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) workers after he posted a provocative WhatsApp status seen as derogatory towards the Marathi community. The message reportedly read: “See the power of a Rajasthani. Beat the Marathi in Maharashtra itself. We are Marwaris, nobody can stand before us.”
The accused, identified as Prem Singh Devda, originally from Rajasthan, had been running a medical shop in the area. According to local sources, his post reached MNS leader Santosh Desai, leading party worker Vishwajit Dholam and others to confront Devda around 3 PM. They allegedly assaulted him, forced him to apologise in public, and paraded him through the market.
Devda was later taken to Vikhroli Police Station, where he issued a written apology. He reportedly left for his native village soon after. Senior Police Inspector Suryakant Naikwadi confirmed that no FIR had been filed, as neither party lodged a formal complaint.
