Marathi Language Row Triggers Street Protests

Mumbai, 8 July 2025:

After violent acts by political activists and businesspeople, a contentious debate about the place of Marathi in Maharashtra's public life has moved from boardrooms to fervent street demonstrations. 

When a video appeared that purportedly showed Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) supporters beating Babulal Khimji Chaudhary, a Thane shop owner, for allegedly refusing to speak Marathi, the flashpoint broke out. When Chaudhary responded, "All languages are spoken in Maharashtra," he was slapped, according to witness footage. Investigations are still underway after police filed a formal complaint against seven people who were wearing MNS insignia. 

Widespread criticism was sparked by an unrelated incident at Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Rajan Vichare's Thane office where traders who were called for a meeting were allegedly slapped and made to speak Marathi.

These incidents came after the state government ordered Hindi to be taught as a third language in all Marathi and English medium schools in Classes I–V. The order was quickly revoked in response to criticism. Leaders of the Shiv Sena (UBT) criticised the government resolution for marginalising Marathi identity, and party members burned copies of it during a protest in Pune. There was a statewide political response to the situation. Emphasising that Marathi pride must not turn into vigilantism, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis condemned "hooliganism in the name of language" and issued a warning that violence would not be accepted. Yogesh Kadam, the minister of Maharashtra, called for respect for Marathi but denounced acts that "take law into your hands."

Unionist leaders Raj Thackeray and Uddhav made a rare appearance together at a rally against Hindi imposition amid the tension. According to Raj Thackeray, "the Maharashtra government rolled back the decision on the three language formula due to strong unity shown by Marathi people." The general public's response has been divided. Social media influencer Rajshree More, who criticised the “Marathi versus non Marathi” divide, reported being verbally abused by MNS youth and vowed to legally contest the intimidation. 

Nitesh Rane of the BJP, meanwhile, questioned the selective targeting, posing the question, "Do those with beards and circular caps speak Marathi?" and questioned why religious minorities were not subject to the same linguistic enforcement.

Debate over cultural identity has been rekindled after BJP leaders demanded that three penguin chicks born at Mumbai's Byculla Zoo be given Marathi names. When a pizza delivery was delayed until Marathi was spoken, a more humorous argument broke out in Bhandup, with the customer threatening to withhold payment unless Marathi was spoken. According to analysts, as Maharashtra prepares for elections, this outburst is a reflection of deeper concerns about linguistic identity. Economists caution that such disputes may divert attention from policy priorities, while the Congress accused the government of "back door imposition" of Hindi and cultural subversion.

The language dispute is likely to continue to be a contentious electoral and social issue given the impending high stakes assembly elections and the emphasis on Maharashtra's cultural identity. 

Although policy changes have been compelled by the burning of official documents, it is unclear if this will stop popular unrest. Officials warn that verbal pride cannot excuse physical violence, and they are currently conducting police investigations and advising citizens to exercise restraint.