Rising Tensions Over Marathi Language
A fresh political controversy has erupted following an incident in Maharashtra involving workers of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS). The situation escalated when MNS activists allegedly assaulted a street food vendor in Bhayandar, Thane district, for not speaking in Marathi. This act, widely condemned as linguistic vigilantism, has triggered sharp reactions across political circles, particularly from leaders in the Hindi-speaking states of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.
Dubey’s Bold Warning to Raj Thackeray
Reacting strongly to the incident, BJP MP Nishikant Dubey issued a fiery statement daring MNS chief Raj Thackeray to visit Bihar or Uttar Pradesh. In his remarks, Dubey said, “If Raj Thackeray dares to come to UP or Bihar, he will be beaten up.” The BJP leader from Jharkhand asserted that such linguistic discrimination will not be tolerated in a diverse and multilingual country like India.
Dubey’s remarks underscore the growing regional and cultural rift that emerges periodically in the Indian political landscape. His comments were seen not just as a reaction to the Bhayandar incident but also as a broader warning against any perceived anti-north Indian rhetoric or actions by regional parties.
Priyanka Chaturvedi Condemns Dubey’s Comments
In response, Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi criticized Nishikant Dubey for what she termed as “incendiary and undemocratic language.” She questioned his authority to dictate the movements or rights of political leaders in a democratic setup. “Who gave Nishikant Dubey the right to decide where Raj Thackeray or any leader can go?” she asked. Chaturvedi emphasized that such rhetoric only fuels hatred and damages the fabric of national unity.
The Bhayandar Incident: What Happened
The controversy stems from a troubling incident in Bhayandar, where a food vendor was reportedly assaulted by MNS workers for allegedly not speaking Marathi. According to local reports, the vendor—believed to be a migrant from north India—was running a small eatery when he was accosted by a group of MNS activists who demanded he use Marathi with customers. When he failed to comply, he was allegedly beaten.
Videos of the assault surfaced online and quickly went viral, drawing public outrage and criticism. While the MNS defended its actions as an attempt to “preserve Marathi pride,” human rights groups and several political leaders condemned the violence and called for legal action against the perpetrators.
Language Politics in Maharashtra: A Recurring Flashpoint
The Marathi versus non-Marathi debate has been a longstanding issue in Maharashtra politics, especially in urban centers like Mumbai and Thane which have a large population of migrants from states like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. The MNS, under Raj Thackeray’s leadership, has repeatedly taken a hardline stance on promoting Marathi language and culture, often targeting migrants from the Hindi-speaking belt.
While the MNS claims its goal is to protect the cultural identity of Maharashtrians, critics argue that the party often resorts to intimidation and violence, especially during election seasons, to stir up regional sentiments for political gains.
Political Fallout and Regional Sensitivities
Nishikant Dubey’s provocative statement is likely to deepen the political divide, with BJP attempting to consolidate its support base in the Hindi heartland by taking a tough stand on the issue. At the same time, Raj Thackeray’s silence on the matter has also been notable. While MNS leaders have justified the Bhayandar incident, there has been no direct comment from Thackeray himself.
The regional sensitivities involved are significant. Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, two of India’s most populous states, have contributed a large number of migrants to cities like Mumbai for decades. Many of these migrants are part of the working class, and assaults or discrimination against them often result in strong reactions back home, including demands for boycotts and political retaliation.
Calls for Unity and Tolerance
Several political commentators and civil society groups have urged restraint from all sides. They emphasize that India’s strength lies in its linguistic and cultural diversity and that such violent assertions of regional identity are deeply harmful to national integration.
Senior journalist and political analyst Sandeep Kulkarni noted, “Politicians must understand the repercussions of their words. Threatening a leader with violence or assaulting a vendor for language preference is not just illegal—it’s un-Indian.”
