Maharashtra BJP leader and minister Nitesh Rane has condemned an incident where supporters of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) allegedly beat a shopkeeper in Bhayandar for not speaking Marathi. Reacting to a viral video of the attack, Rane questioned why “poor Hindus” are targeted and challenged if “those who wear skull caps” speak Marathi well.
Rane’s remarks, made at the state legislature, referred to Muslim-majority areas in Mumbai like Mohammad Ali Road and Null Bazaar, implying that Muslims there do not speak “pure Marathi.” He accused these communities of a broader conspiracy to marginalise Hindus through “love jihad,” “land jihad,” and other tactics aimed at reducing Hindu numbers in Mumbai.
“This violence is part of that strategy,” he said, urging the assailants to take their actions to other areas like Malvani, which he suggested also lack “pure Marathi” speakers.
His comments drew attention for blending language tensions with communal rhetoric, framing the assault as part of a larger religious-political strategy. He also reiterated that the current government, rooted in Hindutva ideology, would respond strongly to such incidents.
Meanwhile, Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction) leader and cabinet colleague Pratap Sarnaik also condemned the violence but emphasised that no single party has a monopoly over Marathi identity. He urged respect for traders and praised police action against those involved.
The issue of language has been a sensitive flashpoint in Maharashtra, especially in Mumbai, where Marathi pride runs deep. The controversy has been heightened recently due to the BJP-led state government’s attempt to introduce Hindi as a third language from Class 1 in state schools.
