Minister urges strict adherence to Marathi language following MNS workers’ slap incident
by Utsav RoyJunior Maharashtra Home Minister, Yogesh Kadam spoke out following an incident where a Mumbai shopkeeper was assaulted by individuals linked to Raj Thackeray’s Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) for not speaking Marathi. Instead of condemning the attack, Kadam emphasized that action would be taken against anyone who disrespects the Marathi language, without directly addressing punishment for the MNS assailants.
Speaking as a Shiv Sena MLA from Dapoli, Kadam stated, “Marathi must be spoken in Maharashtra. If someone doesn’t know Marathi or refuses to speak it, that will not be accepted. They can try to speak it. Anyone disrespecting Marathi will face consequences.” Regarding the MNS attackers, identified but yet to be arrested, he warned they should not take law enforcement into their own hands and advised filing complaints against individuals, after which appropriate action would follow.
The attack on 48-year-old Babulal Khimji Chaudhary, owner of ‘Jodhpur Sweet Shop’ in Mumbai’s Mira Road for two decades, has sparked public outrage. Bollywood actor Ranvir Shorey condemned the assault. Chaudhary described Mumbai as his ‘karmabhoomi’ and vowed to seek justice.
Despite widespread condemnation, police action has been slow. Four of seven MNS members named in the complaint were questioned days after the assault video went viral, but no arrests were made. Authorities stated legal provisions did not permit detention at that stage. The whereabouts of the remaining three suspects are unknown.
The assault video, filmed late Sunday night, shows men surrounding Chaudhary, slapping and threatening him and his staff for not speaking Marathi. One staff member, Bagharam, a migrant worker from Rajasthan, recounted being threatened when he spoke Hindi instead of Marathi.
MNS has not apologized or disciplined its workers, accusing Chaudhary of arrogance and provoking the attack by stating that multiple languages are spoken in Maharashtra, a factual claim. MNS leader Raj Thackeray has yet to comment.
Ironically, the attack occurs as Raj Thackeray takes credit for pressuring Maharashtra’s government to withdraw an order promoting Hindi as the primary school language, a move he protested alongside his cousin Uddhav Thackeray. The cousins plan a joint rally in Mumbai this weekend, marking a temporary reunion.