Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai
Mumbai, Apr 18: A verbal dispute over food preferences in a housing society in Mumbai’s Ghatkopar spiralled into a controversy after some Gujarati residents allegedly objected to non-vegetarian food being consumed by their Marathi-speaking neighbours.
According to a viral video circulating on social media, members of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) intervened after being alerted by the Marathi families. The video showed MNS local leader Raj Parte asserting that the Marathi residents were allegedly labelled “dirty” by some Gujarati neighbours for consuming non-vegetarian meals.
“Anybody can live and work in Mumbai, but no one can dictate what others should eat. We will not tolerate such discrimination,” Parte is seen saying in the video.
The incident prompted police involvement after the situation reportedly escalated, with both groups exchanging heated arguments. Ghatkopar police reached the society, pacified residents, and issued a warning against discriminatory behaviour. “We spoke to both sides and urged them to maintain harmony. No formal complaint has been filed,” a police official stated.
Eyewitnesses confirmed that the police advised the Gujarati residents against ill-treating their Marathi neighbours and warned of possible legal action if such behaviour persisted.
So far, the Gujarati families allegedly involved in the altercation have not issued any statement.
Meanwhile, Mumbai BJP president and Maharashtra's IT and Cultural Affairs Minister Ashish Shelar took serious note of the matter, terming it a case of "disrespect" on the basis of language and food habits.
“No one should look down upon Marathi-speaking people, their language, or their culture. Creating divides among communities based on such grounds is unacceptable. The government firmly believes in upholding the dignity and identity of Marathi culture,” Shelar said.
The incident has reignited discussions around cultural sensitivity and personal freedoms in shared living spaces in the cosmopolitan city.