Mumbai — A disturbing incident in Mira Road has ignited public outcry after Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) activists were seen assaulting a shopkeeper for refusing to converse in Marathi. The altercation, captured in a widely circulated video, shows the shopkeeper being slapped and scolded by party workers allegedly enforcing a “Marathi-only” language stance near Balaji Hotel.
The clash reportedly involved local MNS leader Karan Kandangire and comes despite the state government recently walking back controversial directives aimed at mandating the use of Marathi in commercial spaces.
MNS State Vice President Reshma Tapase, who also oversees the Mira-Bhayandar region, has appeared to defend the party’s aggressive campaign, calling it a “necessary assertion of cultural identity.” However, the incident has drawn strong condemnation from opposition leaders and civil society, who say the party has crossed a red line.
“This is not language activism—it’s hooliganism,” said Congress leader Sanjay Nirupam, urging state authorities to take strict action. “No one has the right to police language by force.”
The Mira Road police have registered a case and are examining the viral video along with eyewitness accounts. Legal experts warn that such vigilante actions—regardless of political motivations—violate individual rights and may invite serious legal consequences under assault and intimidation statutes.
Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who recently revoked two GRs (government resolutions) promoting compulsory Marathi signage and communication in private establishments, has not issued an official response to the Mira Road incident.
As the investigation proceeds, the episode has reopened a long-simmering debate in Maharashtra—how far should language pride go before it becomes coercion? And more importantly, can cultural assertion ever justify violence?
The shopkeeper, who sustained minor injuries, has yet to file a formal complaint but is reportedly cooperating with police. Meanwhile, rights groups have appealed for calm, emphasizing that linguistic harmony must be built through dialogue—not intimidation.
