Palghar, Maharashtra: An autorickshaw driver, Raju Patwa, was publicly assaulted in Vasai on Saturday by a group of individuals associated with the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS). The attack, reportedly triggered by Patwa’s derogatory remarks about the Marathi language and Maharashtra, was captured on video and has since gone viral, reigniting tensions surrounding the ongoing Marathi-Hindi language divide in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. Following the incident, Virar Police Station have registered a case against members of the Shiv Sena and MNS under sections related to unlawful assembly, breach of public peace, and rioting. The details were confirmed by Senior Police Inspector Lalu Ture.
The Trigger: A Clash Over Language
The incident stems from a confrontation in Virar last week, where Patwa, a migrant autorickshaw driver from Uttar Pradesh, allegedly misbehaved with a woman and assaulted her brother, Bhavesh Padoliya. According to reports, Padoliya, originally from Jhansi and a fluent Marathi speaker, had questioned Patwa in Marathi over an unsafe overtake. In response, Patwa reportedly refused to converse in Marathi, insisted on speaking Hindi, and allegedly assaulted both siblings. A video of the altercation, which later went viral, shows Patwa defiantly stating in Hindi: “Hindi bolunga, Bhojpuri bolunga, par Marathi nahi bolunga” (“I’ll speak Hindi. I’ll speak Bhojpuri, but I won’t speak Marathi”).
Public Retaliation and Forced Apology
In response, a group comprising members of the Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS, including several women activists, confronted Patwa near Virar railway station on Saturday evening. In the widely circulated video, Patwa is seen being slapped multiple times by the group in full public view. With his hands folded, he is then compelled to publicly apologize to Bhavesh Padoliya, his sister, and the people of Maharashtra for his alleged insults toward the state, the Marathi language, and prominent Marathi icons.
Witnesses said the group forced Patwa to admit wrongdoing and beg for forgiveness, stating he had “insulted the cultural and linguistic pride of Maharashtra.” The video has drawn divided public opinion, some condemning the vigilantism, others applauding what they see as a stand for linguistic respect.
Political Justification and Warning
Speaking after the incident, Uday Jadhav, Shiv Sena (UBT) Virar city chief, who was present at the scene, confirmed that the group had acted “in true Shiv Sena style.” Defending the assault, Jadhav stated that anyone who insults the Marathi language, culture, or people would face consequences. “If anyone dares to insult the Marathi language, Maharashtra, or Marathi people, they will get a response in true Shiv Sena style. We will not remain silent,” he said. “He had the audacity to speak against the Marathi manoos and the state. We made him apologize to the people of Maharashtra and those he offended.”
Party functionaries from both Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS echoed the sentiment, describing the assault as a necessary show of strength to protect the dignity of Marathi identity.
Growing Concerns Over Language Tensions
The incident unfolds against the backdrop of growing tensions over language politics in Maharashtra, where debates around the use and respect of Marathi have become increasingly volatile. Recent controversies involving business owners and public figures making dismissive remarks about speaking Marathi have further inflamed sentiments.
On July 1, MNS workers in Thane assaulted a street food vendor in Bhayandar for allegedly refusing to speak in Marathi. Traders later staged a protest against the incident, prompting the MNS and other groups to hold a counter-march on July 8 to defend Marathi ‘asmita’ (pride). The protest led to the detention of several MNS, Shiv Sena (UBT) and NCP (SP) workers.
The Vasai episode is the latest in a series of such clashes and has once again brought issues of language pride, vigilantism, and the responsibilities of law enforcement to the forefront, prompting renewed calls for a balanced and lawful approach to address both provocation and retaliation.
