WATCH | Now, MNS workers bully Marwadi shopkeeper in Mumbai over WhatsApp status 'insulting' Marathi

In yet another instance of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) high-handedness, videos showed party cadres intimidating a shopkeeper in Mumbai's Vikhroli region. They accused the victim, a Marwadi shopkeeper, of insulting the Marathi community in a WhatsApp status that he posted recently.

 

The MNS workers surrounded the man in broad daylight outside his shop and made him apologise before the camera, the video that has gone viral on the internet showed. The visibly scared man talked to the agitated MNS men with folded hands and held his ears in a sorry gesture while apologising before the camera.

 

He was heckled and repeatedly questioned for insulting the Marathi language and culture while being in Maharashtra. They reportedly dictated to the onlookers that they should refrain from supporting business establishments that insult Marathi culture.

 

Raj Thackeray's party cadres are in the news recently more than once for vigilantism after they assault civilians over issues involving the Marathi language. Recently, a similar viral video showed them assaulting a shopkeeper in Thane for not speaking the local language. Another shop owner was attacked for his refusal to speak Marathi. The incident that happened in Mira Road was also caught on camera, reports said.

 

Meanwhile, former Union minister and BJP leader Ram Naik has said a language row is being fuelled in Maharashtra in view of the ensuing polls to local bodies, especially the BMC, and noted Thackeray cousins Raj and Uddhav see political opportunity in such emotive issues. He said that though Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray and his cousin Raj Thackeray shared the stage in Mumbai on July 5 to champion the cause of Marathi 'manoos' (Marathi speakers) and oppose Hindi 'imposition', they were yet to announce a formal alliance and it remains to be seen how many parties join them.

India