MNS workers assault D-Mart employee in Versova over Marathi language dispute
Mumbai: A D-Mart employee in Versova, Andheri (West), was allegedly assaulted by Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) workers after he refused to speak in Marathi. The incident, which took place on March 25, has reignited debates over language politics in Maharashtra.
A video of the altercation has gone viral, showing the employee telling a customer, “Nahi aata meko Marathi, main Hindi hi bolega, jo karna hai wo kar” (I don’t know Marathi, I will speak only in Hindi. Do what you want to do). The remarks reportedly drew the attention of MNS workers, who, led by their Versova unit president Sandesh Desai, visited the store and confronted the employee.
The video shows MNS workers slapping the employee and questioning him about when he arrived in Mumbai. They also demanded that he learn Marathi if he wished to continue working at the store. Following the confrontation, the employee issued an apology, according to PTI.
Similar incident reported in Mulund
A similar case was reported in January at a fast-food stall in Mulund, where MNS workers allegedly assaulted an employee over his treatment of a Marathi-speaking family. According to reports, the incident began when a woman and her mother, who had visited Mulund for bank-related work, stopped at the stall. The worker allegedly insulted them, saying, “If you can’t afford it, why did you come here to eat?” When the woman questioned him, he allegedly began shouting, and when her mother intervened, he pushed her aside.
Following this, the family approached the MNS public relations office, after which party workers confronted the employee at the stall. A viral video shows the workers grabbing him by the collar, slapping him repeatedly, and dragging him outside. Another employee who attempted to intervene was also slapped and warned to stay away. The worker initially denied the allegations but was later forced to apologise.
"मराठीसाठी पुन्हा मनसे"
— Sumit Bane (@SumitBaneMNS) March 25, 2025
काल तुम्ही जो राडा पाहिलात तो फक्त चमकोगिरीसाठी होता, आज मराठी माणसावर अन्याय व मराठी भाषेचा अपमान झाला तेव्हा धावून फक्त मनसे आली!
मराठीचा अपमान केला म्हणून डी-मार्टच्या मॅनेजरचे कान फोडल्याबद्दल @SandeshDesai15 आणि टीमचे अभिनंदन!#Mumbai pic.twitter.com/DwnGjJXuHc
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Adequate LPG stock in Chhattisgarh, no need to panic, says CM Sai
Raipur (PTI): Amid reports of shortage of commercial LPG cylinder in several parts of the country due to the US-Israel-Iran conflict, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Tuesday assured people that they need not worry about the availability of cooking gas in the state.
He asserted that adequate stock of LPG as well as petrol and diesel was available in the state.
Sai said in a statement that authorities have been directed to regularly monitor stock at gas agencies and keep a close watch on the supply chain. Necessary instructions were issued to officials in all districts to ensure a smooth supply of LPG.
The chief minister instructed officials to take strict action if any complaint of black marketing or hoarding of LPG cylinders is received.
Sai urged state residents not to pay attention to rumours and to book cooking gas cylinders as per their actual requirement.
The government was fully alert to ensure the availability of essential commodities to citizens, he emphasised.
Meanwhile, the Chhattisgarh Hotel and Restaurant Association has issued an advisory to hotels, restaurants, caterers and other food businesses across the state, urging them to maintain calm and avoid panic buying.
In the advisory, Taranjeet Singh Hora, president of the association, asked members to maintain coordination and immediately inform it about any major disruption in LPG supply.
He cautioned businesses against hoarding cylinders, saying such practices could worsen the situation for the entire hospitality sector.
The association advised hotels and restaurants to prioritise essential kitchen operations, core menu items and already committed banquet events.
Use electric cooking equipment wherever possible for emergency and staff kitchens such as induction cooktops, electric hot plates, electric rice cookers and kettles, the advisory stated.
