A tense confrontation between the Gujarati and Marathi-speaking communities broke out at a housing society in Mumbai’s Ghatkopar area on Thursday over the alleged consumption of non-vegetarian food. The dispute escalated when members of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) joined the fray, accusing Gujarati residents of disrespecting their Marathi-speaking neighbors over food preferences.
The incident began when an argument erupted between members of the Gujarati community and Marathi residents in the housing complex. The disagreement intensified when MNS workers got involved, alleging that four Marathi-speaking families had been insulted by the Gujarati residents for their choice of non-vegetarian food.
A video of the incident has since gone viral on social media, showing local MNS leader Raj Parte issuing a warning to the Gujarati residents. In the video, Parte claims that Marathi families were referred to as “dirty” for eating non-vegetarian food and emphasized that such behavior would not be tolerated in Mumbai. “Anybody can live in Mumbai and work here, but we will not tolerate such things… how can others dictate what they should eat?” he stated in the footage.
In response, a Gujarati resident in the video countered that there were no such restrictions within the society regarding food choices. As tensions grew, nearby residents contacted the Ghatkopar Police, who arrived at the scene to mediate. The police intervened, advising the residents to resolve the issue amicably and warning that legal action would be taken if any further disrespect occurred. However, no formal complaints were filed with the police.
The incident has sparked political reactions, with Maharashtra’s Minister of State for IT and Cultural Affairs, Ashish Shelar, condemning the alleged act of disrespect. Shelar emphasized that such incidents of linguistic-based discrimination were unacceptable, stressing the need for mutual respect for the Marathi language and culture. “No one should commit the sin of looking down upon Marathi-speaking people, their language, and their culture. This kind of disrespect is not acceptable,” he said.
This altercation comes amid heightened discussions surrounding the treatment of Marathi speakers in certain parts of Mumbai, with allegations that some housing societies have discriminated against them, especially over food preferences. The MNS and Shiv Sena have previously claimed that Marathi families were denied the right to purchase or rent flats in some areas due to their consumption of non-vegetarian food.
As Mumbai approaches municipal elections later this year, the MNS has ramped up its rhetoric, demanding the mandatory use of Marathi in public spaces, including government offices and banks. The political party has long championed the rights of Marathi-speaking residents, emphasizing the importance of preserving the state’s language and cultural identity.
The episode in Ghatkopar has brought to the forefront concerns about community relations, the complex dynamics of cultural identity in Mumbai, and the ongoing debate over the right to personal choices, particularly when it comes to food and language.
At present, the police have made it clear that while they are monitoring the situation, no further actions will be taken unless additional complaints are filed.
Sources By Agencies