Mumbai News: Nahi Aata Marathi, Joh Karna Hai Kar’: D-Mart Employee Gets ‘MNS Style’ Lesson in Versova; Video Goes Viral
Mumbai News: Nahi Aata Marathi, Joh Karna Hai Kar': D-Mart Employee Gets 'MNS Style' Lesson in Versova; Video Goes Viral
A recent incident at a D-Mart store in Versova, Andheri (West), Mumbai, has ignited discussions on language preferences in Maharashtra. On March 25, a store employee was confronted and allegedly assaulted by members of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) for refusing to converse in Marathi with a customer.
"मराठीसाठी पुन्हा मनसे"
— Sumit Bane (@SumitBaneMNS) March 25, 2025
काल तुम्ही जो राडा पाहिलात तो फक्त चमकोगिरीसाठी होता, आज मराठी माणसावर अन्याय व मराठी भाषेचा अपमान झाला तेव्हा धावून फक्त मनसे आली!
मराठीचा अपमान केला म्हणून डी-मार्टच्या मॅनेजरचे कान फोडल्याबद्दल @SandeshDesai15 आणि टीमचे अभिनंदन!#Mumbai pic.twitter.com/DwnGjJXuHc
The situation escalated when a video surfaced online showing the employee stating, “Nahi aata meko Marathi, Main Hindi hi bolega, Kya karega? Jo karna hai wo kar” (I don’t know Marathi, I will speak only in Hindi. What will you do? Do whatever you want). This remark attracted the attention of MNS workers, who, led by Versova unit president Sandesh Desai, visited the store. During the confrontation, the employee was allegedly slapped and advised to learn Marathi to continue his employment. Subsequently, the staff member issued an apology for his earlier comments.
Similar Incidents Highlight Ongoing Language Tensions
मराठी येत नाही काय करणार अशी अरेरावी करणाऱ्यांना परप्रांतियांना मनसेने शिकवला धडा @mnsadhikrut @RajThackeray @SandeshDesai15 धन्यवाद 🙏https://t.co/UK6kAg8dhZ pic.twitter.com/Ci8Vwg2Dpl
— 𑘦𑘲 𑘦𑘨𑘰𑘙𑘲| मी मराठी | हिंदी लादणे बंद करा 🚫 (@mee__marathi) March 25, 2025
This event is not isolated. In December 2024, three MNS workers were booked for assaulting a shop owner in Girgaon, South Mumbai, over a language dispute. The shop owner had reportedly insisted that a customer speak in Marwari, leading to the altercation. The MNS workers allegedly took the shop owner to their office and assaulted him.
Additionally, in December 2024, local MNS leaders confronted the management of a prominent Thane mall after a security guard allegedly assaulted a female Marathi auto driver over a dispute. The MNS demanded the guard’s dismissal and the registration of a complaint.
These incidents underscore the ongoing debates and tensions surrounding language preferences and regional identity in Maharashtra.
