Mumbai: 'Won't Tolerate Attack On Marathi Dignity,' Says CM Devendra Fadnavis After Maharashtrian Family Assaulted In Kalyan

In a strong response to the attack on a Marathi family in Kalyan, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis firmly condemned the assault and announced immediate action. He ordered the suspension of the accused, Akhilesh Shukla, from his position as a manager at the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) and emphasised that such acts of arrogance against the Marathi community will not be tolerated.

The incident took place when a Marathi family in Kalyan was attacked by a North Indian family and a group of their associates. The altercation started after derogatory remarks were made by Shukla and his wife about their neighbor, Varsha Kalvikatte. This led to a physical confrontation, and Shukla allegedly called a group of men to escalate the violence. The attackers assaulted Kalvikatte and her family, leading to injuries.

The issue quickly gained political traction and was raised in the Maharashtra State Assembly in Nagpur. Shiv Sena whip Sunil Prabhu, along with MLC Anil Parab, voiced their concerns, while leaders like Shashikant Shinde of NCP, Bhai Jagtap of Congress and UBT MLC Sachin Ahir expressed their support for the victims.

Addressing the controversy, Fadnavis said, “The government has issued directives to register a formal offense against the accused. Mumbai symbolises the pride of the Marathi people. We will not allow any injustice to be done to them.”

He further remarked, “People from different states have lived here for generations, speaking Marathi fluently and celebrating festivals together. However, such incidents disturb the harmony we have built over the years.”

In another response, MLC Anil Parab raised concerns about allegations of housing discrimination based on dietary preferences. The CM responded firmly, “The Constitution grants everyone the right to choose their food. No group or individual has the right to deny others housing based on their food preferences. If such discrimination occurs, strict action will be taken.”

Emphasising regional pride, Fadnavis remarked, "Just as we take pride in our national identity, we also take pride in being Marathi. If anyone attacks that pride, we will stand firm and ensure justice is served.”

The incident also drew strong reactions from Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar. Shinde expressed solidarity with the assaulted Marathi family. “No one can infringe upon the fundamental rights of others. Shiv Sena will not tolerate any attack on Marathi families or their dignity,” Shinde stated.

Ajit Pawar reinforced the government's stance on injustice against Marathi people, asserting that the principles of Shiv-Shahu, Phule and Ambedkar would not allow such acts to go unchecked.

Opposition leaders, including Rohit Pawar and Aaditya Thackeray, also criticised the state government's handling of law and order, with Pawar comparing Maharashtra’s situation to that of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Thackeray said that this incident was part of a troubling trend of discrimination against Marathi families, with similar cases being reported over the past 18 months.

(Inputs from Narendra Gupta)