Incident Overview

In a recent incident in Mumbai’s Vikhroli suburb, a Rajasthani shopkeeper faced assault by Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) workers over a WhatsApp status. The message, perceived as offensive to the Marathi-speaking community, led to a confrontation outside the shopkeeper’s store. The video of the incident, which has since gone viral, shows the shopkeeper being physically attacked and forced to apologize publicly.

Details of the Confrontation

The altercation occurred in the Tagore Nagar area, where the shopkeeper had posted a WhatsApp status boasting about Marwari dominance. This message angered local MNS workers, who confronted him, demanding an apology. The video footage captures the shopkeeper being slapped and verbally abused while pleading for forgiveness. The MNS workers warned against any future derogatory posts about Marathi people.

MNS’s Role and Response

The video, recorded and circulated by the MNS workers themselves, included their party logo and a Marathi song. This act contradicts Raj Thackeray’s directive to avoid filming such incidents to prevent legal issues. Following the assault, the shopkeeper was taken to a police station to file a complaint. Local MNS leader Vishwajit Dholam called for a boycott of the shopkeeper’s business.

Context of Recent Tensions

This incident is part of a series of confrontations involving MNS workers over Marathi identity. Earlier, MNS workers in Thane assaulted a street vendor for not speaking Marathi, leading to arrests and counter-protests by traders accusing the MNS of moral policing. In another case, an auto-rickshaw driver from Uttar Pradesh was assaulted near Virar railway station for refusing to speak Marathi.

Political Implications

The ongoing tensions highlight the sensitive issue of linguistic pride in Maharashtra. The MNS, along with allies like Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP (Sharad Pawar faction), organized protests to defend Marathi pride. These incidents underscore the volatile nature of language politics in the region.