A migrant auto-rickshaw driver was brutally assaulted in broad daylight in Maharashtra’s Palghar district by workers of Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena (UBT) and Raj Thackeray’s Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS). The attack followed a viral video showing the driver refusing to speak Marathi and insisting that a local youth speak in Hindi or Bhojpuri.
The initial confrontation occurred a few days earlier near Virar station, where the driver was seen threatening the local youth. In the video, he insisted on speaking only in Hindi or Bhojpuri, refusing to communicate in Marathi. The footage sparked widespread outrage among regional political outfits, particularly those championing Marathi identity.
In retaliation, members of Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS tracked down the driver and physically assaulted him near the same station on Saturday. The assault, captured on camera, took place in full public view. The video shows a group of Sena workers, including women, slapping and beating the driver on a busy road. During the incident, the driver was also forced to issue a public apology to the man and his sister—whom he had allegedly misbehaved with earlier—and to the people of Maharashtra for what was seen as disrespecting the Marathi language and its cultural icons.
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Uday Jadhav, Shiv Sena (UBT)’s Virar city chief, who was present during the assault, justified the act. “Anyone who insults the Marathi language, Maharashtra, or the Marathi manoos will be given a reply in true Shiv Sena style. We made him apologise to those he offended,” he said. Another local Sena functionary supported the action, stating the driver was 'taught a befitting lesson.'
Despite the video of the assault going viral on social media, police confirmed on Sunday that no formal complaint had been filed, and no case had been registered. “We have seen the viral clip and are verifying the facts. But, no one has come forward to file a complaint,” a senior official told said.
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The incident has also stoked language tensions in nearby districts. On July 1, MNS workers allegedly slapped a food stall owner in Bhayander, Thane district, for not speaking in Marathi. That attack too triggered protests from traders, who condemned the violence. In response, MNS and other regional groups organised a counter-march on July 8 to defend Marathi ‘asmita’ (pride). The protest led to the detention of several members from MNS, Shiv Sena (UBT), and NCP (Sharad Pawar faction).
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