Maharashtra CM Condemns Attack on Shopkeeper by MNS Members
Strong Condemnation from Maharashtra's Chief Minister
Devendra Fadnavis, the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, has recently expressed his strong disapproval of an attack on a shopkeeper in Thane by members of Raj Thackeray's Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS). He labeled the incident as an act of hooliganism under the guise of language and promised stringent legal action against the perpetrators. In his response, Fadnavis emphasized that while pride in the Marathi language is commendable, any form of violence justified by language will not be tolerated. He stated that if anyone resorts to violence based on language, it will face severe consequences. The Chief Minister confirmed that the police have registered a case and are taking action, warning that such incidents will not be overlooked in the future.
Language Pride and Legal Action
Fadnavis remarked that while it is important to take pride in Marathi, it is equally crucial to ensure that no language is subjected to injustice. He expressed his confusion over individuals who embrace English yet create disputes over Hindi, questioning the rationale behind such behavior. He assured that strict measures would be taken against those who take the law into their own hands.
Details of the Incident
The incident came to light on July 1, following the circulation of a video showing MNS activists confronting and assaulting a sweet shop owner for allegedly refusing to speak in Marathi. Disturbing footage revealed three individuals entering the shop and questioning the owner about his language preference. When asked why he wasn't speaking Marathi, the shopkeeper calmly replied that he was unaware it was mandatory. One of the assailants then threatened him, asking if he wanted to be beaten, before launching a violent attack. The attackers slapped the shopkeeper multiple times, hurled abuses, and threatened to shut down his business. The situation escalated further when the shopkeeper asserted that all languages are spoken in Maharashtra.
Public Reaction
#WATCH | Mumbai: Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis says, "It is not wrong to be proud of the Marathi language in Maharashtra. But if someone indulges in hooliganism due to language, we will not tolerate it. If someone beats up people on the basis of language, this will not be… pic.twitter.com/9mZBiXfcm9
— News Media