Viral Video: Marathi Language Row Erupts in Pune After Auto-Rickshaw Driver’s Remarks Go Viral
A late-night argument outside Pune Railway Station sparks outrage after a driver allegedly refused to speak Marathi, prompting demands for strict action.
Pune witnessed a controversy late last night when an altercation broke out between a group of students and an auto-rickshaw driver outside Pune Railway Station. The incident, captured on video and widely shared on social media, has stirred outrage over alleged remarks made by the driver refusing to speak Marathi.
According to eyewitnesses, a few Marathi-speaking students had stopped near Pune Railway Station for tea when they reportedly asked a rickshaw driver to communicate in Marathi. The argument escalated when the driver allegedly said he would not speak the language, asserting, “I am a Mohammedan, I will not speak Marathi.”
The students, taken aback by the response, began recording the exchange. In the video, the driver is heard saying, “Hume Marathi nahi aata hai, toh kya karega,” to which one of the students replied, “Pune mein aakar Marathi hi bolna padega.” The heated exchange soon drew the attention of bystanders.
The incident has triggered sharp reactions from local citizens and social groups in Pune, who have demanded strict action against the driver for insulting the Marathi language. Many have described the episode as “deeply disrespectful” to local linguistic sentiments and urged authorities to ensure accountability.
Officials have yet to issue a formal statement on the matter. However, sources indicate that the police are verifying the video and identifying those involved. If confirmed, appropriate legal action may follow under relevant sections related to public disorder and communal provocation.
Language sensitivity remains a recurring issue in Maharashtra, where several previous incidents have sparked debates about linguistic respect and cultural identity.
