Navi Mumbai Student Assaulted After Urging Classmates to Speak Marathi

A student in Navi Mumbai was assaulted for urging classmates to speak Marathi in a group chat, referencing MNS leader Raj Thackeray. The altercation escalated offline, leading to a violent attack. An FIR has been filed, and MNS leaders are demanding strict action amid rising tensions over language politics in Maharashtra.

A 20-year-old college student in Navi Mumbai was violently attacked outside his campus after he urged classmates in a WhatsApp group to communicate in Marathi. The incident occurred when the student, irritated by frequent Hindi messages in the group, made a remark asking others to “speak in Marathi or Raj Thackeray will come,” referencing the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) leader.

His comment sparked heated arguments among group members, escalating into a real-world altercation the following morning. Around 10:30 am, the student was confronted by four classmates near the college premises in Vashi. One of the assailants, identified as Faizan Naik, reportedly struck the student on the head with a hockey stick, causing serious injuries.

The student is currently undergoing medical treatment, and a First Information Report (FIR) has been registered at the Vashi police station. Police confirmed that the altercation stemmed from a disagreement over language use in the chat group. Assistant Commissioner of Police Adinath Budhwant stated that the issue began as a verbal exchange and escalated into violence.

The assault has drawn sharp criticism from the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena. MNS spokesperson Gajanan Kale, after visiting the victim and speaking with authorities, demanded immediate and strict action against the accused. The incident adds to the rising tensions in the state amid the ongoing Marathi language debate.

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This language row was recently intensified by the state government’s move to introduce Hindi as a third language in primary schools, sparking backlash from local advocacy groups. Raj Thackeray’s recent speech encouraging non-Marathi speakers to learn the language, without advocating violence, has also contributed to the ongoing discourse.