Daijiworld Media Network – Thane
Thane, Jul 1: In a disturbing incident that has sparked outrage, a shopkeeper in Thane was assaulted by Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) workers after he questioned why speaking in Marathi should be compulsory. The incident took place on Sunday night, coinciding with the state government’s decision to withdraw its orders on implementing the three-language policy in Maharashtra schools.
A video of the altercation, which has since gone viral, shows several MNS workers confronting and intimidating the shopkeeper. One of them can be heard asking, “You asked why you should speak in Marathi? What does that mean?” Another warns the shopkeeper that he would not be allowed to continue his business in the area if he failed to comply.

Despite the shopkeeper's attempts to clarify, saying that all languages are spoken in Maharashtra, he was repeatedly slapped by two men, even after stating that he would need to learn Marathi. The video ends with him being struck several times as he tries to explain himself.
Following the video’s circulation on social media, a case has been registered against seven MNS workers at the Kashimira police station. Authorities said they are examining the footage and statements to identify all those involved in the assault.
The Raj Thackeray-led MNS has been aggressively opposing the proposed three-language policy under the National Education Policy (NEP), terming it as a move to impose Hindi in the state. On Sunday, the Maharashtra government, led by Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, revoked two key government resolutions linked to the policy and announced the formation of a committee under educationist Dr Narendra Jadhav to reassess its implementation.
Meanwhile, MNS chief Raj Thackeray and his cousin, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray, have announced a joint rally titled "Marathi Vijay Diwas" to be held on Saturday. The rally, initially planned as a protest, will now celebrate what the parties are calling a victory for the Marathi language. The event also marks the first political appearance of the Thackeray cousins together in nearly two decades.