Migrant Driver Assaulted Over Language Dispute

In Maharashtra’s Palghar district, a migrant auto-rickshaw driver faced a public assault by supporters of the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) and Raj Thackeray’s Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS). This incident followed a viral confrontation regarding the use of the Marathi language. The driver, originally from Uttar Pradesh, was involved in an argument at Virar station with Bhavesh Padolia, who questioned his choice to speak Hindi instead of Marathi. The driver’s insistence on speaking Hindi and Bhojpuri led to tensions that culminated in the assault.

Public Apology Demanded

On Saturday, near Virar railway station, the driver was confronted by a group of Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS supporters. The altercation was captured on video, showing the driver being slapped multiple times, including by women from the groups. He was forced to publicly apologize to Mr. Padolia, his sister, and the state of Maharashtra for allegedly insulting the Marathi language and its cultural significance. Uday Jadhav, Virar city chief of Shiv Sena (UBT), justified the group’s actions as a defense of Marathi pride.

Police Yet to Register Complaint

Despite the public nature of the incident, no official complaint has been filed with the Palghar district police. Authorities have acknowledged the viral video and are currently verifying facts. However, as of now, neither party has approached them with a formal complaint.

Ongoing Language Tensions in Maharashtra

This incident is part of a broader pattern of language-related conflicts in Maharashtra. Earlier, MNS workers in Thane assaulted a street food vendor for not speaking Marathi, leading to arrests and protests. These events highlight ongoing tensions over linguistic identity in the state. Recent educational policy changes have further fueled these disputes, with pro-Marathi groups opposing the introduction of Hindi in primary schools.