A heated exchange between Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) worker and member of a housing society was reported after a Marathi family was reportedly subjected to discriminatory treatment in a predominantly Gujarati, Marwadi, and Jain housing society in Ghatkopar.
According to reports, a man named Shah allegedly insulted the family for consuming non-vegetarian food, stating, "Marathi people are dirty; you eat fish and meat." This confrontation has inflamed existing cultural tensions in the suburban area.
The incident is particularly noteworthy as it comes shortly after RSS leader Bhaiyyaji Joshi's controversial statement claiming that Ghatkopar's primary language is Gujarati, not Marathi. This has brought issues of cultural dominance and food-based discrimination to the forefront.
The housing society comprises mainly Jain, Marwadi, and Gujarati families, with only four Marathi households. Marathi families have been facing harassment from other residents over their food preferences for some time, as per reports
Following the incident, MNS workers entered the society premises to confront those responsible. MNS Labour Wing Vice President Raj Parte led the intervention, but Shah reportedly did not present himself. Other society residents attempted to downplay the situation, claiming they don't discriminate based on regional identity or impose restrictions on meat consumption.
In a social media post about the incident, Parte expressed frustration: "How long must we fight for Marathi people in Ghatkopar? They use derogatory language and daily insult Marathi residents, treating them as inferior. In a society with only four Marathi families among a Gujarati majority, this harassment has become unbearable."
Viewers Discretion Required, Strong Language Used
In another video of the incident, MNS worker can be seen hurling abuses at a man and threatening him with physical assault.
