Auto-rickshaw Driver Assaulted by Sena (UBT) Workers Over Alleged Remarks; Video Sparks Outrage

Quick Summary

• A viral video shows Shiv Sena (UBT) workers in Maharashtra’s Palghar district allegedly assaulting an auto-rickshaw driver for making anti-Marathi remarks.
• The confrontation occurred near Virar railway station on July 12, 2025, and the driver was publicly made to apologize for “insulting” the state, its language, and its culture.
• Shiv Sena (UBT) Virar city chief Uday Jadhav justified the incident, warning of strong responses against insults to Maharashtra or Marathi pride.
• Police confirmed the incident but said no formal complaint has been received so far.
• Separately, MNS workers slapped a food stall owner in Thane district on July 1 over not speaking Marathi. Protests and counter-protests have since ensued regarding Marathi language pride.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The incidents highlight ongoing tensions over linguistic identity in Maharashtra.As political groups rally around preserving cultural pride through public confrontations or protests, there is a risk of escalating conflict between residents from diverse linguistic backgrounds. Thes episodes underscore larger issues about inclusivity and respect amidst demographic complexities in urban areas like Mumbai and surrounding districts. The lack of formal police complaints may raise concerns about accountability while emphasizing informal enforcement mechanisms by political actors centered on regional identity.

Read more: The Hindu