A security guard who allegedly insulted the Marathi language by saying "Marathi gaya tel lagane!" (Marathi is useless) was thrashed by enraged Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) workers in the L&T Emerald residential complex on Saki Vihar Road, Powai. The incident occurred after an argument between the security guard and a young Marathi delivery executive from BigBasket. Following the altercation, Powai police have registered a case against MNS workers based on the complaint of the assaulted security guard, Bhawaniprasad Jha (40).
During the Gudi Padwa rally, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray had urged his party workers to ensure that Marathi is used in banks and to take action if it was not being implemented. Since then, MNS workers have been actively conducting demonstrations in banks, demanding the mandatory use of Marathi for all transactions. In line with this aggressive stance, MNS workers took matters into their own hands when the security guard allegedly disrespected the Marathi language.
Bhawaniprasad Jha, originally from Darbhanga in Bihar, resides in the Marol Pipeline area of Andheri East. In his police complaint, Jha stated that he has been employed as a security guard with Stealth Management Solutions Pvt. Ltd. for the past four years and is currently posted at the L&T Emerald residential complex in Powai.
On the night of March 31, while on duty, Jha interacted with a delivery executive from BigBasket who had arrived on a two-wheeler to deliver a parcel. Jha inquired about the delivery in Hindi, which allegedly angered the delivery executive, identified as Ajinkya. Upon completing the delivery, Ajinkya verbally abused Jha and recorded a video of the exchange, insisting that Jha speak in Marathi.
As Ajinkya continued pressuring Jha to converse in Marathi, an argument ensued. Annoyed by the persistence, Jha reportedly remarked, "Marathi gaya tel lagane, tum gali kyu deta hai?" (Marathi is useless, why are you abusing me?). Angered by this, Ajinkya left but later returned with three accomplices. The group then allegedly assaulted Jha and forced him to apologize.
Following the incident, Jha approached the Powai police and filed a complaint against Ajinkya and his associates—Vijay Nikam, Sanjay Mule, and Mahesh Girm. The police have registered a case and are investigating the matter further.
This incident has once again highlighted the rising tensions over the use and respect of the Marathi language in Maharashtra, with political parties actively monitoring and enforcing its prominence in public spaces.