A Vikroli-based Marwadi shopkeeper was assaulted by local Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) workers after he allegedly posted a WhatsApp status "insulting the Marathi Manoos (Marathi-speaking people)".
The incident took place outside his shop, where the MNS members confronted him, physically assaulted him, and forced him to issue a public apology to the entire Marathi community.
According to reports, the victim, a Rajasthani shopkeeper, had posted a WhatsApp status that read: "Dekh liya Rajasthani ka power. Hum Marwari hamare saamne kisi ki nahi chalti (Witnessed the power of a Rajasthani. No one can stand before us Marwaris)."
The viral video shows a group of MNS workers confronting the shopkeeper outside his store. The video shows the man being slapped and verbally berated. The workers demanded he apologise to the Marathi community for his remarks. In the footage, the shopkeeper is seen holding his ears, and pleading, "I will not repeat such a mistake."
This video comes only a few days after MNS members were captured on camera allegedly assaulting a food stall owner in Thane for not speaking in Marathi, reported NDTV.
Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis had took cognisance of the incident saying Marathi should be respected without resorting to violence.
“We respect Marathi, but violence in its name won’t be accepted. Strict action will be taken against those resorting to violence. No language in India will be allowed to be disrespected," he had said while addressing the media.
While addressing a joint rally of MNS and Shiv Sena (UBT) along with his cousin, Uddhav Thackeray, Raj Thackeray earlier advised against violent enforcement of language use and said, “Be it Gujarati or anyone else, they must know Marathi. But there is no need to beat people for not speaking Marathi. [But] if someone creates unnecessary drama, you must hit below their eardrums."
He also advised against recording the video of the incident, saying that let the victim tell that he has been beaten up.
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