Traders Kneel Under Sena UBT’s Marathi Vigilante Rule
In a shocking incident that has triggered statewide outrage, a group of traders was assaulted and publicly humiliated at the Shiv Sena (UBT) office in Thane, allegedly for not speaking in Marathi. The incident, captured on camera and now widely circulating on social media, has once again brought the spotlight back on linguistic vigilantism and rising regional tensions in Maharashtra.
The video shows Rajan Vichare, a senior Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and former MP, seated calmly while his supporters slap and shout at the traders. The victims were reportedly summoned to the office after complaints that they were conducting business in Hindi or other non-Marathi languages. In the video, the traders can be seen being forced to kneel, with party workers demanding apologies and shouting orders like “Speak in Marathi!”
The assault, which occurred inside the party office, has been widely condemned by civil rights groups and business associations. Critics have called it an example of mob justice disguised as cultural enforcement. “This is not protection of language—it’s public bullying and a threat to India’s pluralistic identity,” said a representative from a national traders’ body.
The incident comes just days after similar language-based violence was reported in Mira Road, where MNS workers allegedly harassed shopkeepers over signage and verbal communication. Together, these events suggest an emerging pattern of linguistic extremism being used to intimidate non-local communities.
Sena UBT’s “Misunderstanding” Spin Fails to Convince
Facing backlash, Shiv Sena (UBT) has attempted damage control, with youth leader Aditya Thackeray issuing a statement claiming the episode was a “misunderstanding” and that the party does not endorse violence. He said, “This is not a Marathi vs non-Marathi issue. It’s about respecting the cultural ethos of the state.”
However, critics argue that such rhetoric has little meaning when party offices become venues for moral policing. The absence of a formal FIR, even days after the viral video surfaced, has further fueled anger. According to sources, local police have initiated a preliminary inquiry, but no arrests have been confirmed.
Legal experts have pointed out that such acts violate multiple provisions of Indian law, including sections related to assault, intimidation, and unlawful confinement. Human rights activists have called on the state government to take suo motu cognizance of the incident and ensure accountability.
The Thane incident has reignited a larger debate: Where does cultural pride end and coercive identity politics begin? While Maharashtra has every right to protect and promote Marathi language and culture, critics warn that violence and public humiliation in its name only serve to divide communities and destabilize social harmony.
