On April 9, 2025, a disturbing incident unfolded in Dombivli, Maharashtra, where a woman carrying her baby and her friend were assaulted by a group of locals. The altercation reportedly began when the woman said “excuse me” instead of using the Marathi equivalent, which allegedly offended some individuals in the vicinity. A video capturing the assault went viral on social media, sparking widespread outrage and discussions about linguistic intolerance.
The video shows the two women being confronted by a group of people, with one of the women holding her baby during the ordeal. Despite the presence of the child, the attackers did not relent, leading to concerns about the safety and well-being of the victims. The incident has raised questions about the increasing instances of language-based discrimination and the need for promoting linguistic harmony in the region.
Local authorities have acknowledged the incident, and an investigation is underway to identify and apprehend the individuals involved in the assault. Community leaders and activists have condemned the attack, emphasizing the importance of respecting linguistic diversity and ensuring the safety of all residents, regardless of the language they speak.
This incident is not isolated; similar cases have been reported in the past where individuals faced hostility for not speaking Marathi. For instance, in December 2024, a Marathi-speaking family was attacked in Thane’s Kalyan area over a trivial argument, leading to an uproar in the Maharashtra legislature over the insult to Marathi-speaking people in the state. ThePrint
The recent Dombivli incident underscores the urgent need for fostering mutual respect and understanding among diverse linguistic communities. Authorities are urged to take swift action to prevent such occurrences and to promote inclusive policies that celebrate the state’s rich cultural and linguistic heritage. newsly.co.in
