Political dadagiri amplified by social media makes Maximum City uneasy

MUMBAI: With activists of political parties like Shiv Sena , Sena (UBT) and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) resorting to violence in the name of asserting Marathi asmita (prestige), a sense of unease has gripped many, especially in the class engaged in providing services and running small establishments.

They fear that they or their employees could be targeted because they do not speak Marathi fluently. Political aggression manifesting in acts of violence like the Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Gaikwad who slapped a canteen staff at the MLA hostel on Tuesday has also become a cause of concern. Some say the so-called "language war" needs to be curbed urgently.

Puran Singh Rajput, whose family comes from Nathdwara in Rajasthan, runs a grocery shop in Mira Road. "I was born here and know Marathi, but my father who has been in the city for over three decades cannot speak Marathi. I fear that tomorrow any activist can confront my father and humiliate him just because he does not speak Marathi," said Rajput.

A taxi driver from UP, who did not want to be named, said his grasp of Marathi is "30%". "I've been working in Mumbai for 25 years and picked it up on the job. I can answer basic questions, if someone wants to test me," he said, adding that this inadequacy has now led to a sense of insecurity.

He said Indians should be free to work where they want within the country, and not be constrained by language. "Maharashtrians live and work in different states and no one demands that they learn Bhojpuri in Bihar or Odia in Odisha. Then why do we, in Maharashtra, learn Marathi? This is nothing but politics, given BMC elections are around the corner," he said.

Many say learning the language is an advantage, but forcing someone to speak in the tongue is akin to fuelling linguistic chauvinism, and using violence to "punish" those who cannot speak this language is simply lawlessness. They also blame the misuse of social media to amplify acts of violence perpetrated in the name of asserting linguistic supremacy. Shaikh Abdullah, whose Kurla-based bakery employs around 200 workers from different states, said in order to win over voters ahead of BMC polls, political workers are coining bigoted slogans and creating a climate of fear. "We've people from different states working for us and it does not matter where they're from as long as he or she works efficiently. But there is a fear someone might hurt them if they fail the language test," he said.

Captain Nalin Bilochan Pandey, originally from Bihar, runs a shipping company from Navi Mumbai. "One of my Maharashtrian employees failed in Marathi in matriculation exam while my daughter who has a Bihari origin topped in Marathi at the same exam. So, putting people to language tests and using violence against those who cannot speak your language is unacceptable and is jeopardising social harmony," said Pandey.