In a dramatic political showdown in Maharashtra, a Shiv Sena minister was forced to leave a Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) protest in Thane after being heckled by party workers. Minister Pratap Sarnaik attempted to join the opposition-led demonstration amid MNS workers clash over the recent ‘slapgate’ incident, which has reignited the state’s language debate.
Several MNS workers were detained in Mira Road after launching a counter-march without police permission. The protest was in response to public outcry over a viral video showing MNS members assaulting a shopkeeper for not speaking Marathi. “Whoever lives in Maharashtra must learn Marathi,” some of the protesting workers declared, warning of consequences for those who don’t.
Despite the detentions, MNS members questioned why traders were allowed to protest against the assault, while their demonstration was stopped. Police stated that the protest route posed logistical challenges. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis defended the police, stating, “Anyone can protest after taking permission. The police commissioner asked them to change the route, but they refused.”
Taking a dig at his political opponents, Fadnavis added, “A Marathi has a large heart. He does not think small. Such experiments won’t work here.”
Language Politics Intensify Amid Slapgate Fallout and Thackeray Reunion
At the heart of the escalating language row is the assault on Babulal Chaudhary, a 48-year-old shopkeeper at Jodhpur Sweet Shop in Mira Road. He and his staff member were attacked by seven MNS workers for responding in Hindi. The video of the incident has gone viral, triggering widespread condemnation and fuelling political fire.
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This incident comes as political dynamics shift in Maharashtra. Former rivals Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray appear to have closed ranks to counter BJP attacks. The situation also follows backlash over the state government’s now-rolled-back decision to introduce Hindi in primary school curricula.
The BJP, however, is not backing down. Senior BJP MP Nishikant Dubey launched a fierce counterattack: “If you’re so courageous that you can beat those who speak Hindi, then you should also beat those who speak Urdu, Tamil, and Telugu. Come to Bihar, Uttar Pradesh — tumko patak patak ke maarenge.”
In response, Uddhav Thackeray condemned the BJP’s tactics, saying, “Divide and rule has always been the BJP’s policy. I am not against any language, but I will oppose its imposition by force.”
As the language row continues to roil Maharashtra’s political landscape, tensions show no signs of easing.
