The Federation of Retail Traders Welfare Association has condemned attacks on shopkeepers over the issue of spoken language.
Viren Shah, president of FRTWA, said that videos on social media and news, showing workers of a political party assaulting shopkeepers and their employees solely because they could speak a language, were shocking.
"Yes, I acknowledge that living in Maharashtra and doing business in Mumbai, it is essential to learn and speak Marathi. This shows respect for our culture and the land," said Shah. "However, this does not give anyone the right to assault, insult, or intimidate shopkeepers. No party or individual can take the law into their own hands. Attacking shopkeepers solely because they do not speak a particular language is a clear violation of the law and utterly condemnable."
FRTWA said they strongly condemn political parties that send members to assault shopkeepers in the name of language. Shopkeepers are law-abiding citizens, and the politics of instilling fear in them must stop, the federation said.
Shah said that, as the head of a traders' organisation, he is surprised that law enforcement agencies have not taken penal action against the culprits. "Despite clear videos showing assault, abuse, and intimidation, the police and state government have not taken suo motu action. The Maharashtra government's silence is concerning. This behavior is not just illegal but also divisive, fear-mongering, and detrimental to the business environment," Shah added.
FRTWA has demanded immediate punitive action against the accused to send the right message to the groups behind the attack. The group also demanded protection for shopkeepers and employees against such attacks.
