Amid a spate of language-related confrontations in Maharashtra, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) finds itself embroiled in controversy after a video surfaced showing the son of an MNS leader drunk and hurling abuses at a Marathi-speaking woman in Mumbai.
The man in the video has been identified as Rahil Sheikh, son of MNS state vice president Javed Sheikh. Rahil is seen sitting half-naked inside a car, allegedly under the influence of alcohol, verbally abusing a woman and flaunting his father’s political position.
नशे में धुत।
अधनंगा।
एक मराठी भाषिक महिला के साथ गाली-गलौज करता हुआ मनसे का नेता पुत्र।
ऊपर से अपने बाप के रसूख़ की धौंस दे रहा है।
मराठी स्वाभिमान की रक्षा करने का दावा करनेवालों का असली चेहरा देखिए।
क्या इन्हीं मुसलमानों के दबाव में मनसेवाले हिंदुओं पर हमले कर रहे हैं ? pic.twitter.com/vOkXz1Ev0w— Sanjay Nirupam (@sanjaynirupam) July 7, 2025
The video, which went viral on social media, was recorded by Rajshree More — the woman targeted in the incident. An FIR was registered at the Amboli Police Station against Rahil Sheikh under charges including outraging the modesty of a woman and negligent driving. He was subsequently arrested.
Political Fallout: Shiv Sena Slams MNS for ‘Gundagardi’ in Language Campaign
Reacting to the video, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Nirupam condemned the MNS, calling it the “real face” of those claiming to uphold Marathi culture. Reposting the video on Instagram, he wrote, “Drunk out of his senses. Half-naked. An MNS leader’s son is hurling abuses at a Marathi-speaking woman. On top of that, he’s flaunting his father’s influence. See the real face of those who claim to protect Marathi pride.”
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The incident comes at a time when multiple reports have emerged of MNS workers assaulting or threatening non-Marathi speakers in Mumbai and other parts of Maharashtra, echoing party chief Raj Thackeray’s aggressive stance modeled after Bal Thackeray.
Rajshree More, Previously Targeted for Opposing Marathi Imposition
Rajshree More, the woman who filmed the video, had earlier faced backlash from MNS workers for a video criticizing the imposition of Marathi on non-native speakers. In the since-deleted video, she had said, “I am a Maharashtrian. I am proud to be a Marathi. That pride is enough for me. I won’t force others to speak in my language at gunpoint… Marathis can’t do such hard work. First, teach the Marathi people to work hard.”
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Following backlash and a complaint filed by MNS workers, More had publicly apologized and removed the video.
