Marathi slapgate row: CM Devendra Fadnavis says ‘hooliganism in the name of pride will not be tolerated,’ vows action | India News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday responded to the recent incidents of assault in the name of language, saying that the government will not tolerate hooliganism under the guise of Marathi pride.Speaking to reporters about the Mira Road incident, where a shop owner was allegedly assaulted for not speaking in Marathi, Fadnavis said, “One should take pride in their own language, but if someone uses that as an excuse to indulge in hooliganism, it will not be tolerated.”He added that action had already been taken in the Mira Road case. “Despite the incident in Mira Road, action was taken immediately after and proceedings have also been initiated,” Fadnavis said.Fadnavis further warned that the state would deal firmly with any attempts to instigate violence based on language. “If anyone engages in hooliganism based on language, our government will not spare them and action will be taken against them. I repeat, one should take pride in their own language, but if someone uses that as an excuse to indulge in hooliganism, it will not be tolerated.”The statement comes amid rising tension in Maharashtra following multiple incidents where people were allegedly attacked for not speaking Marathi. The issue was triggered by a video from Mira Road, where members of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) were seen thrashing a sweet shop owner, Babulal Khimji Chaudhary, after a staff member responded to them in Hindi. The attackers allegedly objected to the use of Hindi and demanded that Marathi be spoken, sparking outrage and concern over linguistic vigilantism.An FIR has been registered against seven unidentified individuals under relevant sections of the IPC.MNS leaders defended the act, blaming the shop owner’s “arrogant attitude” for escalating the situation. They claimed they had gone to buy water during a rally and objected when told that all languages are spoken in Maharashtra.Days later, another video surfaced from Thane, where Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and former MP Rajan Vichare was seen overseeing a confrontation in his office. His supporters were allegedly seen slapping and humiliating traders for not speaking in Marathi and forcing them to apologise on camera. The clip further inflamed the language row and drew criticism from across the political spectrum.Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray, reacting to the backlash, said the matter was not a Marathi versus non-Marathi issue, and tried to play it down by citing a personal dispute that escalated. However, the video evidence and growing number of such incidents have raised concerns over the use of language as a tool for intimidation.