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Hindustan Times
03-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
‘Marathi ko mara na': Scuffle over phone recharge turns into Marathi vs Non-Marathi row after video goes viral
A simple request for a phone recharge in Thane has sparked a Marathi vs Non-Marathi row, with a Shiv Sena (UBT) MP in the centre of the controversy. The shop staff members made to hold their ears and admit that they were wrong before the camera in the video clip.(X) The incident took place a couple of days ago, when a 43-year-old man, Kiran Tanaji Sawant, visited a local shop in Thane requesting for a phone recharge. However, Sawant allegedly lost his temper after the recharge couldn't be completed owing to a technical issue, according to the staff members of the shop. They claimed that Sawant created chaos, which led to a fight between him and four or five of the shop staff. During the scuffle, Sawant sustained injuries and filed a police complaint afterwards. A case under sections of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) pertaining to causing hurt was filed, and four staff members were detained. They were released later after being served legal notices. Viral video of Sena (UBT) MP's office The issue received a fresh lease of life after a video of Shiv Sena UBT MP Rajan Vichare's office went viral. In the video, both parties – the staff members and Sawant are present. While a staff member tries to speak, one of Vichare's aide interrupts him, saying, 'Marathi mein bol, Marathi ko mara na? Marathi mein bol.' The clip further showed the staff members approaching Sawant – who was sitting – and apologising by folding their hands and touching their feet. Sawant then goes on to slap the staff members, who are also made to hold their ears and admit that they were wrong before the camera. The incident comes close on the heels of a another one which took place on Tuesday (July 1), wherein a group of men wearing Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) scarves allegedly assaulted a Thane shop owner for not speaking in Marathi. The men had gone to the shop to buy food. After the owner spoke to them in Hindi, they asked him, 'Which language is spoken in the state?' When the owner responded saying 'all languages', one of the men shouted and slapped him several times, along with the others.
Time of India
03-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
'Marathi ko mara na?': How a simple recharge fight exploded into Marathi vs non-Marathi war in Thane; Viral video sparks outrage
What began as a simple dispute over a mobile phone recharge in Thane has now turned into a full-blown Marathi vs non-Marathi row. A viral video has added fuel to the fire, showing a man slapping others who are made to apologise in Marathi. The incident has sparked public outrage and brought political heat at a time when language tensions in Maharashtra are already high. How it all started The dispute started on 1 July, when a 43-year-old man named Kiran Tanaji Sawant went to a local shop in Thane to get his mobile phone recharged. Due to a technical issue, the recharge didn't go through. The shop staff claimed that Sawant lost his temper and began creating chaos. This led to a fight between him and four to five staff members. Sawant reportedly suffered injuries in the scuffle. He later filed a police complaint, and a case was registered under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita related to causing hurt. Four shop staff were detained and released after receiving legal notice. — stupidpanda7902 (@stupidpanda7902) The controversial video The matter then reached the office of former Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Rajan Vichare. A video from the meeting has gone viral on social media. In the clip, a staff member is seen trying to speak when one of Vichare's aides interrupts him and says, 'Marathi mein bol, Marathi ko mara na? Marathi mein bol,' which means 'Speak in Marathi. Didn't you hit a Marathi? Speak in Marathi.' Live Events The video then shows Kiran Sawant sitting as the accused staff members approach him one by one, apologise with folded hands, touch his feet, and get slapped by him. They are made to hold their ears, look into the camera and admit they were wrong. Politics and public anger The video has triggered huge backlash, especially among those concerned about the rising Marathi vs non-Marathi tension. Some political leaders argue that people living in Maharashtra should respect and learn the local language. Others, however, have pointed out that forcing someone to speak a language or humiliating them is not acceptable. They have called on Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to step in and stop any further violence linked to the language debate. This comes just days after another incident where Maharashtra Navnirman Sena supporters allegedly attacked a shopkeeper for not speaking Marathi. The growing pressure on non-Marathi speakers, especially migrants working in the state, is now drawing national attention. Inputs from agencies
