The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) has once again drawn sharp criticism for a series of aggressive actions undertaken in the name of promoting the Marathi language. Recent incidents across the state have seen MNS workers allegedly resorting to intimidation and violence against individuals and businesses perceived as not adequately using Marathi, sparking widespread outrage and concerns over law and order.
These acts, which include physical assaults on shopkeepers and auto-rickshaw drivers, and confrontations in banks, reflect a concerning pattern of vigilantism. Despite the stated aim of linguistic pride, the methods employed by MNS workers have led to complaints of hate speech and incitement to violence against party leaders, raising serious questions about the fine line between cultural assertion and unlawful coercion.
This report details 15 incidents that highlight various facets of the party’s approach, categorised into three distinct parts:
Part 1: MNS workers assaulting people for not speaking Marathi – 9 incidents
Part 2: Advocates of Marathi getting exposed – 4 incidents
Part 3: Anti-Hindi remarks by MNS workers – 2 incidents
MNS workers threaten Marwadi woman shopkeeper for not speaking Marathi
On July 3, 2025, a disturbing incident occurred in Maharashtra where a group of MNS workers confronted a woman shopkeeper, reportedly a Marwadi, and threatened her for not speaking Marathi. The workers allegedly demanded that she use the local language to continue running her business in the state. Despite her explanation that she did not know Marathi, the men continued to pressure and intimidate her, questioning her decision to open a shop without proficiency in the local language.
MNS workers allegedly assaulted Gujarati shopkeeper
Just days earlier, on June 29, 2025, MNS workers were reportedly involved in the assault of an elderly Gujarati shopkeeper. The shopkeeper was allegedly slapped by the workers because he was unable to speak Marathi, highlighting a pattern of physical aggression in their linguistic campaign.
Railway clerk threatened by MNS worker for not using Marathi
A viral video from June 13, 2025, showed an MNS worker threatening a railway booking clerk at a ticket counter. The man was seen repeatedly pressuring the clerk to speak Marathi, despite the clerk’s clear statements that he did not know the language. The incident underscores the persistent and intimidating tactics used by MNS cadres to enforce their linguistic demands.
Railway Police Force jawan threatened for not speaking Marathi
On May 24, 2025, a video circulated widely showing a man intimidating a Railway Protection Force (RPF) jawan. The confrontation stemmed from the jawan’s inability to speak Marathi, with the man forcefully demanding that he use the language. This incident underscores the aggressive enforcement tactics some individuals are employing in the name of linguistic purity.
Pizza delivery boy forced to apologise after Marathi language conflict
A confrontation on May 15, 2025, in Mumbai’s Bhandup area escalated when MNS workers reportedly intervened in a dispute involving a Domino’s pizza delivery boy, Rohit Leware. Leware was threatened by the MNS workers after he challenged a woman customer who refused to pay him because he didn’t speak Marathi. The customer allegedly told him, “Speak in Marathi if you want the money.” Following the incident, the MNS group reportedly forced the delivery boy to apologise to the woman, highlighting instances where MNS workers enforce linguistic demands with intimidation.
Female bank employee allegedly assaulted for not speaking Marathi
On April 4, 2025, MNS workers reportedly confronted a female bank employee, demanding that all staff communicate with customers solely in Marathi. When the employee, who was speaking in Hindi, objected to these demands, she was allegedly physically assaulted and dragged out of the manager’s cabin. This incident points to an alarming escalation of aggression in the name of linguistic enforcement.
Bank manager assaulted amidst language dispute
Just a day prior, on April 3, 2025, a group of MNS workers reportedly stormed a bank branch, accosting the manager for not conversing with customers in Marathi. During the incident, one worker allegedly slapped a young visitor, who was already speaking Marathi, while others threatened the manager and vandalised equipment. This event further illustrates the destructive and violent turn that linguistic demands are taking.
Female ticket clerk threatened for not speaking Marathi
On May 27, 2025, a video circulated widely depicting a man coercing a female ticket clerk to speak Marathi. In the footage, the man can be seen threatening the clerk after she informed him that she was not proficient in the language. This incident underscores a worrying trend of intimidation tactics being used in the name of linguistic enforcement.
Bank employee slapped by MNS workers over language dispute
Less than a month later, on June 12, 2025, MNS workers were reportedly involved in another act of violence. A bank employee was allegedly slapped by MNS members because she was not speaking in Marathi. This incident points to a concerning pattern of physical assault against individuals in public service roles for not adhering to the MNS’s linguistic demands.
Marathi pride advocates under scrutiny: Incidents expose inconsistencies
Recent events have highlighted a perceived disconnect between the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena’s (MNS) fervent advocacy for Marathi language pride and the actions or linguistic abilities of some of its proponents. These incidents have drawn criticism and sparked wider debates online.
Marathi Islamic woman criticised for speaking Hindi while advocating Marathi pride
On July 9, 2025, Sana Deshmukh, who identifies as a Marathi Islamic and is a vocal supporter of Marathi pride and culture, faced online backlash. Despite appearing in interviews and public forums to promote the use of Marathi language and identity, she was observed predominantly speaking in Hindi during these appearances. This inconsistency led to criticism from online users who questioned the sincerity of her stance and highlighted the irony of advocating for Marathi pride while not consistently using the language herself.
Islamic women speak Hindi at MNS Marathi rally
An MNS rally held in Mumbai on July 8, 2025, purportedly in the name of Marathi pride, drew online criticism when several Islamic women attendees chose to speak in Hindi during interviews with a Marathi news channel. Many observers pointed out the irony of this situation. Adding to the controversy, the women also made claims that Gujarati is compulsory in Gujarat and Bengali in Bengal, statements that are factually misleading. The incident ignited a broader discussion about language politics, cultural identity, and the perceived gap between the rally’s message and its actual communication.
MNS workers fail basic Marathi questions in interview
On July 7, 2025, a journalist from Navbharat Times confronted MNS workers in Mira Road regarding their aggressive enforcement of the Marathi language. Despite their aggressive posturing, the workers reportedly struggled to answer basic questions in Marathi. They were unable to name Maharashtra’s capital, national animal, or cultural icons in the language, leading to public embarrassment and further questioning of their credentials as Marathi advocates.
MNS worker fails to answer “When is Maharashtra Day?” (July 5, 2025)
A viral video from July 5, 2025, showed a journalist questioning an MNS worker after his party members had assaulted a shopkeeper in Thane for not speaking Marathi. When the reporter calmly asked simple questions such as “When is Marathi Language Day?” and “When is Maharashtra Day?”, the worker reportedly could not provide coherent answers. He mumbled incoherently before eventually walking away in embarrassment. The clip has drawn widespread criticism, exposing the perceived irony that individuals attempting to impose Marathi through threats and violence sometimes lack even basic knowledge about the language or the state they claim to represent.
MNS leaders and workers make anti-Hindi remarks: Fueling language tensions
The Maharashtra Navnirna Sena (MNS) continues to face criticism for its strong anti-Hindi stance, with recent statements from both its leadership and workers reinforcing their rigid language policy and sparking debate.
MNS worker demands Marathi proficiency, targets Hindi
On July 8, 2025, a video emerged showing an MNS worker expressing a controversial viewpoint on language. She asserted that she would not visit Karnataka until she learned Kannada, then insisted that anyone coming to Maharashtra should similarly know Marathi. Critically, she clarified that her issue was not with English, but specifically with Hindi. This clip directly reflects the party’s inflexible stance on language and has raised concerns that such behaviour could disrupt Maharashtra’s business-friendly environment. Critics suggest that this approach ironically contributes to businesses potentially relocating to other states, such as Gujarat, despite the MNS later blaming industrialists for such shifts.
Raj Thackeray asserts Marathi identity, calls Hindi-speaking states backward
Just days earlier, on July 5, 2025, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) Chief Raj Thackeray made headlines with a provocative address to a large crowd. During his speech, Thackeray declared, “The Hindi-speaking states have remained backward in terms of development. We cannot allow Hindi to dominate in Maharashtra. This is Maharashtra, our language, our identity, comes first.” These remarks underline the MNS’s firm belief in prioritising Marathi identity and language within the state, while also drawing criticism for disparaging Hindi-speaking regions.
The recent surge of incidents involving the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena in the name of promoting Marathi highlights a troubling escalation of their tactics. From outright assaults and threats against shopkeepers, railway clerks, and bank employees who don’t speak Marathi, to the unsettling exposure of inconsistencies among Marathi advocates themselves, these events reveal a movement increasingly reliant on intimidation rather than genuine cultural integration.
Furthermore, the anti-Hindi remarks made by MNS workers and even party chief Raj Thackeray, who has gone so far as to label Hindi-speaking states as “backward,” underline a divisive and exclusionary approach. This aggressive posturing not only creates a hostile environment for non-Marathi speakers but also risks deterring investment and development, ironically undermining Maharashtra’s progress. These incidents collectively expose a deep chasm between the stated goal of Marathi pride and the confrontational, often contradictory, methods being employed to achieve it.
