Daijiworld Media Network - Palghar

Palghar, Jul 13: A video allegedly showing Shiv Sena (UBT) workers assaulting an auto-rickshaw driver in Maharashtra’s Palghar district has gone viral, sparking outrage and debate over growing linguistic tensions in the state.

The incident occurred near Virar railway station on Saturday, where the driver — believed to be a migrant residing in the area — was slapped multiple times on a crowded road. The video also shows the driver being forced to publicly apologise to a man and his sister, as well as to the state of Maharashtra, for allegedly making derogatory remarks against Marathi language and icons.

While the footage has circulated widely on social media, no official police complaint has been filed so far. “We’ve seen the video and are verifying its authenticity, but no FIR has been registered yet as we haven’t received a formal complaint,” a senior police official said on Sunday.

Reports suggest that the auto driver had earlier made inflammatory comments about Marathi culture and prominent figures, clips of which were shared online prior to the assault.

Uday Jadhav, Shiv Sena (UBT)’s Virar city chief, who was reportedly present during the confrontation, justified the group’s actions, saying:

“If anyone dares to insult the Marathi language, Maharashtra, or Marathi people, they will get a reply in true Shiv Sena style. We made him apologise on behalf of those he offended.”

Jadhav accused the driver of having the "audacity" to malign Marathi manoos (sons of the soil) and said the workers’ response was “a befitting lesson.”

The incident adds fuel to the ongoing political and cultural row in Maharashtra over the prominence of Marathi in public spaces. On July 1, workers of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) allegedly assaulted a food stall owner in Bhayander, Thane, for not speaking in Marathi. The move drew criticism and led to a protest by local traders.

In retaliation, MNS and allied groups, including Shiv Sena (UBT) and the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction), organised a pro-Marathi pride rally in Mira-Bhayandar on July 8, during which several activists were detained.

The latest incident in Palghar highlights the growing friction between local identity politics and migrant integration, as political groups escalate pressure for the use of Marathi in public discourse. Police say they are monitoring the situation closely.