MNS workers storm Pune man's home over ‘offensive' post on Raj Thackeray
The incident was recorded on camera by the assailants themselves and later circulated online. No arrest had been made at the time of reporting. In fact, police detained Soman for some time.
The attack comes close on the heels of a similar incident in Mumbai where MNS workers allegedly assaulted a shopkeeper for refusing to speak in Marathi. Both these episodes have led to increased tensions amid a broader linguistic controversy in the state.
MNS Mumbai unit chief Sandeep Deshpande defended the Pune action. 'If our party chief is criticised, then we will definitely respond,' he said.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
NDTV
42 minutes ago
- NDTV
Marathi Row: NDTV's Tough Questions To Raj Thackeray Party's Leader Viral
Mumbai: Amid the raging Marathi language debate in Maharashtra, NDTV reporter Sujata Dwivedi confronted a leader of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), which has made headlines after its workers assaulted a shopkeeper for not speaking Marathi. A video of interaction, during which Ms Dwivedi asks tough questions to the MNS leader and she struggles to respond, has now gone viral. During an interaction with NDTV, Reshma Tapase, state vice-president of the MNS, said that the party will file sedition cases against anyone who does not respect Marathi. The NDTV reporter then pointed out that it Ms Tapase's party colleagues who are facing cases for assaulting people in the name of language. She replied, "There are cases against me, too; it's not a big deal. This is for Marathi and Maharashtra. Whoever comes here and whoever has settled here must decide if they want to speak Marathi or not." "Those who don't respect Marathi will be beaten": MNS' Reshma Tapase after a shopkeeper was assaulted by MNS workers in Thane for asking them why speaking in Marathi should be compulsory @shivaroor @sujata_dwivedi — NDTV (@ndtv) July 2, 2025 The MNS leader also said she was speaking in Hindi so that her interview would reach people across the country. Defending her party's rigid stand on language, she said most states in the country were created on the basis of language. Ms Dwivedi asked her a practical question: how she would feel if she visited another state and was forced to speak a particular language. The NDTV reporter cited the example of Karnataka, which, too, has made headlines for organisations stressing that all residents learn Kannada. Ms Tapase had a bizarre reply. "I have not gone to Karnataka because I don't know the language." This set off an epic exchange: NDTV reporter: How many languages do you know? MNS leader: English, Hindi and Marathi. NDTV reporter: So you won't travel outside Maharashtra all your life?" MNS leader: Why won't I go? I know English." NDTV Reporter: "So, you have a problem with Hindi?" MNS leader: "Hindi is not my language, nor is it the national language." NDTV reporter: "Don't you think you can take classes for Marathi?" MNS leader: "Those who come to me learn." NDTV reporter: "Like this, after being thrashed?" MNS leader: "No, you know who gets beaten up? Those who speak arrogantly get beaten up." At one point, when a supporter of the MNS leader mentions "arrogance", Ms Dwivedi quips, "That's an English word." The video has now gone viral on X, with many praising the reporter for asking tough questions to the MNS leader as she tried to defend violence in the name of language.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Maharashtra Minister Defies Own Govt To Join MNS Rally, Gets Heckled By Protesters
/ Jul 08, 2025, 06:35PM IST Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik has openly criticized his own government over the denial of permission for a Marathi rally in Mira Road. Sarnaik joined the MNS-led protest and challenged the police to arrest him. The Marathi Ekikaran Samiti and other groups had applied for the rally but were refused permission due to public safety and traffic concerns. This followed a viral video showing MNS workers slapping a food stall owner over a language dispute. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis condemned the MNS for defying police orders, urging all groups to follow democratic procedures. On July 8, MNS supporters resisted police, leading to several detentions, including party leader Avinash Jadhav.#pratapsarnaik #miraroad #mnsprotest #maharashtrapolitics #languagedispute #avinashjadhav #devendrafadnavis #marathipride #policedetention #toi #toibharat
Indian Express
2 hours ago
- Indian Express
Fadnavis terms Dubey's remarks ‘improper': Nobody can deny contribution of Marathi people
Responding to BJP MP Nishikant Dubey's comments against MNS chief Raj Thackeray and Sena UBT president Uddhav Thackeray, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis Tuesday said that the remarks were not aimed at all Marathi people but it was improper to say such things. 'Though he hasn't said it to all Marathi people, it is improper to say such things as it leads to different interpretations,' the CM told mediapersons outside the Vidhan Bhavan. In the wake of the language row in Maharashtra, Jharkhand MP Dubey had said that if the Thackerays step out of Maharashtra, 'they will be thrashed repeatedly'. 'You people (Marathis) are surviving on our money. What kind of industries do you have? If you are brave enough to beat Hindi speakers, then you should also beat those who speak Urdu, Tamil, and Telugu,' he had said. Reacting to the comment, Fadnavis said that Marathis have always stood against foreign invaders and have kept the Indian culture alive by fighting against them. Praising the battle history of Maratha warriors, the chief minister said, 'Nobody can deny the contribution of Marathi people and nobody should even try to do it.' Speaking about police denying permission for the MNS march in Mumbai's Mira Road on Tuesday morning, Fadnavis said that it was denied as the party leaders insisted on a particular route for the protest, which could have led to law and order issues. Several MNS workers were detained in this connection since last night. The MNS had called the protest to counter a stir organised by traders after a shop owner was recently thrashed by party workers for refusing to speak in Marathi. 'I inquired with the police as to why permission was denied for the MNS protest march. I was told that they were insistent on a route which would lead to conflict. The police also said that they had inputs about some people who wanted to indulge in some other activities,' Fadnavis said, adding that the police repeatedly requested them to change the route, but they did not accept it. So the permission was denied. Fadnavis added that permission can be given to anyone to hold protest marches, but if someone wants to hold it on their terms and disturb law and order, then it is not good.
