Connect with us
Monday,02-February-2026
Breaking News

Maharashtra

‘Are You Not From Hindustan?’: Woman Speaks Up After Allegedly Being Forced To Speak Marathi In Mumbai’s Ghatkopar

Published

on

Mumbai: A fresh controversy over language erupted in Mumbai’s Ghatkopar when a woman was allegedly harassed by a group of individuals for not speaking Marathi. A video of the incident, which quickly went viral on July 20, shows the woman being surrounded and confronted outside her residence by several people who demanded that she speak in Marathi.

Viral Video Shows Woman Forced To Speak Marathi

According to the woman, identified as Sanjira Devi, she was standing near her home when a group of men blocked her path. When she asked them to move aside, they reportedly insisted she speak in Marathi, reported. Upon refusing, an argument broke out. In the video, one of the men can be seen aggressively pointing a finger at her and shouting, “Speak in Marathi. This is Maharashtra.” Others in the group echoed similar sentiments, continuing to shout at her.

The woman, however, responded by stating her linguistic freedom, saying, “No, you speak in Hindi. Tell me, aren’t you Indian? Are you not from Hindustan?” The confrontation escalated briefly before a crowd gathered at the spot, and someone informed the police. By the time the police arrived, the accused individuals had fled. This incident has added to a growing number of similar confrontations in the city surrounding the use of language in public spaces.

Marwari Businessman Assaulted, Paraded By MNS Workers Over Anti-Marathi WhatsApp Status

Just days earlier, on July 16, a local businessman in Vikhroli’s Tagore Nagar area was allegedly assaulted by Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) workers after he posted a provocative WhatsApp status seen as derogatory towards the Marathi community. The message reportedly read: “See the power of a Rajasthani. Beat the Marathi in Maharashtra itself. We are Marwaris, nobody can stand before us.”

The accused, identified as Prem Singh Devda, originally from Rajasthan, had been running a medical shop in the area. According to local sources, his post reached MNS leader Santosh Desai, leading party worker Vishwajit Dholam and others to confront Devda around 3 PM. They allegedly assaulted him, forced him to apologise in public, and paraded him through the market.

Devda was later taken to Vikhroli Police Station, where he issued a written apology. He reportedly left for his native village soon after. Senior Police Inspector Suryakant Naikwadi confirmed that no FIR had been filed, as neither party lodged a formal complaint.

Maharashtra

Mumbai: Cleanliness of Narelwadi graveyard since Shab-e-Barat, restoration of closed pillars in the graveyard, cleaning of the graveyard by Corporator Waqar Khan’s team

Published

on

Mumbai: Ahead of Shab-e-Barat, the process of cleaning the graveyard is underway. South Mumbai Ward No. 211 Corporator Waqar Khan met the trustees of Narelwadi graveyard recently. During this meeting, it was revealed by the trustees that the six high-mast lights installed in the graveyard had been switched off for the last eight months, due to which severe difficulties were being faced at night.

Taking the issue seriously, Waqar Khan spoke to the concerned officers of the BMC and demanded an immediate solution to the problem. Initially, the officers told that a fund of about Rs 24 lakh was required for this work, which is not available at the moment and it has to be approved.

Later, Waqar Khan maintained constant contact with senior officers and ward officers, as a result of which all the high-mast lights were reactivated within just two days.

During the visit to the graveyard, it was also observed that there is a need for serious cleaning. So within two to three days, under the leadership of Waqar Khan, about 40 to 50 locals of Madanpur Hanagpada personally took up the task of cleaning the graveyard without any political motive. In two to three hours, the area around about 50 graves was cleaned.

Taking forward this spirit, it was decided that a major cleaning drive would be launched on Sunday, February 1, in which 100 to 150 local, non-political people would participate.

This cleaning drive would continue from 11 am to 3 pm, with the aim of making this final resting place of Muslims clean, tidy and dignified. This drive is being carried out purely as a public service and religious and social responsibility, which does not involve any political motive.

Continue Reading

Maharashtra

Mumbai Court Bars Filmmaker Abhinav Kashyap & Others From Making Statements Against Salman Khan, Family

Published

on

Mumbai: The city civil court on Friday barred filmmaker Abhinav Kashyap and others from making any comments against Salman Khan and his family on any platform, in any form, while granting interim relief to the actor in a defamation suit filed against the filmmaker and others.

Khan had filed a defamation suit against Kashyap, Komal Mehru, Khushnoo Hazare, Ashok Kumar / John Doe, and various social media platforms for allegedly making defamatory statements against him and his family. While issuing restraining orders, the court observed that freedom of speech does not mean one can use abusive or threatening language against any individual.

Khan had approached the court following allegedly “scandalous, false, and grossly defamatory” statements made by Kashyap against him and his family members in various video interviews aired on the “Bollywood Thikana” channel, owned by Hazare. In those interviews and videos, Kashyap is alleged to have used offensive language and accused the family of running a cartel to destroy careers.

There are allegedly 26 such video interviews and podcasts released between September and December 2025, which are at the centre of the controversy. In the suit filed through advocate Pradeep Gandhy, Khan sought a permanent injunction and Rs9 crore in damages for the comments made by Kashyap and others against him and his family.

Continue Reading

Maharashtra

Crackdown on illegal street vendors in Andheri, Mumbai Municipal Corporation’s ‘K-Waste’ department takes action, citizens are relieved

Published

on

Mumbai: Around 200 unauthorised hawkers and additional structures on footpaths in Ram Ganesh Gadkari Marg (Arla Marg) area of ​​Andheri (West) in Mumbai were evicted by the Mumbai Municipal Corporation’s ‘K-West’ department yesterday (January 29, 2026). The operation, as per the instructions of Municipal Corporation Commissioner and Administrator Bhushan Gagrani, was conducted under the guidance of Deputy Commissioner (Zone-4) Bhagya Shri Kapse, and Assistant Commissioner (K-West Division) Chakrapani Ale. Unauthorised additional structures were found on footpaths connecting Swami Vivekananda Marg and Gulmohar Marg in Andheri (West) and on Ram Ganesh Gadkari Marg (Arla Marg) adjacent to the entrance of Dr. No. Cooper Hospital. It was also observed that unauthorised hawkers have set up shops in this area. It was creating obstacles for ambulances bringing patients to Cooper Hospital in case of emergency and for pedestrians to walk on the footpaths.

In this context, an eviction drive was launched by the ‘K-West’ administrative department of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation. Under this, around 200 unauthorized hawkers and unauthorized additional structures established on the footpaths in this area were evicted.

The eviction was carried out with the help of 04 encroachment removal vehicles, 03 JCBs and other equipment. During this operation, an adequate police force including 100 officers and employees of the Municipal Corporation were deployed. Local representatives and citizens are expressing satisfaction over this action. The Municipal Corporation administration has made it clear that regular evictions against unauthorized structures will continue in the future.

Continue Reading

Trending