A letter has been addressed to the Commissioner of Police, Mira-Bhayandar Vasai-Virar, advocate Shylaja Vijayan, a panel member of the District Legal Aid Centre, Thane, and Joint Secretary of the Mira Road Malayali Samajam, anticipating some attacks on them, after an alleged surge in attacks and harassment of non-Maharashtrians, particularly Malayali residents in the region.
The letter, marked as “urgent”, also includes copies to the Chief Secretary of Kerala and MLA Narendra Mehta of the Mira-Bhayandar constituency, highlighting the seriousness of the issue.
According to Adv. Vijayan, multiple Malayali families and individuals across Mira-Bhayandar and Vasai-Virar have faced targeted violence, intimidation, and discrimination acts allegedly motivated by linguistic and regional identity.
“These are not isolated events,” the letter states, “but part of a disturbing trend that threatens public peace and communal harmony. It has created an environment of fear and insecurity among law-abiding Malayali families who have long contributed to the region’s growth.”
In her letter, Adv. Vijayan has urged the Police Commissioner to act swiftly and decisively by taking the following steps: Immediate police protection in areas identified as vulnerable, especially those with a high population of Malayalis and other non-Maharashtrian communities. Secondly to ensure a Time-bound investigation and prosecution of those responsible for the attacks under appropriate legal provisions. Further an Establishment of a dedicated helpline or control room for affected communities to report harassment and threats and lastly for an Issuance of a public statement condemning the acts and reinforcing the right of every citizen to live in peace, irrespective of language or ethnicity.
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The letter also calls on the Kerala government to closely monitor the developments and extend support to ensure the safety of Malayali residents in Maharashtra. Additionally, it appeals to MLA Narendra Mehta to intervene and help restore communal harmony.
In her concluding remarks, Adv. Vijayan invokes the inclusive spirit of Maharashtra: “The spirit of Maharashtra has always been one of unity in diversity this must not be allowed to erode.”
