Mumbai: A resident of Alibaug in Maharashtra filed a petition in the Bombay High Court, claiming his sentiments are hurt every time he hears the phrase “Alibaug se aaya hai kya?” This colloquialism is often used to address someone considered naive or a fool.
Aggrieved by this ‘derogatory and humiliating’ phrase, Rajendra Thakur, a resident of Mapgaon in Alibaug has urged the HC to put a permanent ban on usage of the phrase. Thakur, the son of a former Congress lawmaker, has stated in his plea, “This phrase always has an adverse and emotional impact on citizens of Alibaug.”
Notably, Alibaug is a famous tourist destination, over 90 km away from Mumbai. This phrase is used almost by everyone, especially in Maharashtra. The phrase has also been used in some Bollywood films. Thakur mentioned his petition before a bench of Chief Justice Naresh Patil and Justice Nitin Jamdar earlier this week.
He urged the bench to issue directions to the Maharashtra government to ban the use of this phrase. Highlighting the use of the phrase in films and TV shows, Thakur sought a direction to ensure that no TV show, film or documentary is given a censor certificate if it has any dialogue which includes this phrase.
Taking strong exception to its usage, Thakur claimed that the phrase shows citizens of Alibaug in a poor light and portrays them as “illiterate.” In his plea, Thakur has highlighted the history of his town and also the fact that Alibaug has several ‘good schools’ and a high literacy rate.
“Alibaug is bestowed with natural and scenic beauty. In spite of having such a rich background filled with history, culture, industry, tourism, medical facilities and educational institutions, it is highly objectionable to ridicule people of Alibaug by projecting them as illiterate.
It is objectionable to label people of Alibaug as those who do not have common sense,” Thakur has said in his plea. Part of screen loreThe phrase ‘Alibaug se aaya hai kya?’ has been part of dialogues in several Bollywood and Marathi films.
The phrase has also been used several times in TV serials and by stand-up comedians. For instance, it was used in the Aamir Khanstarrer Rangeela. More recently, the 2017 release – Beyond the Clouds – starring Ishan Khatter, used this phrase. Reportedly, this phrase has been a downer for residents of Alibaug.
To boost their morale, Marathi film Gulmohar, featured a song, which proudly proclaimed ‘Ho, Mi Alibaugvarun Aaloy’ (Yes, I have come from Alibaug). The film was released in 2016 and the makers claimed that this song was a reply to all those who had been ridiculing the people of Alibaug by using this phrase.
