Thane: A food stall owner in Maharashtra's Thane district was assaulted on Tuesday by individuals believed to be activists of a regional political party, reportedly for failing to speak in Marathi. The incident, which occurred in the Bhayander area, has sparked outrage after a video of the assault went viral on social media.

The video, widely circulated since Tuesday night, shows several attackers wearing scarves emblazoned with symbols resembling those of the Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS). According to a police official, the altercation began when one of the individuals, while purchasing food, demanded that the stall owner speak in Marathi. When the owner questioned this demand, the man allegedly became agitated and initiated the assault, with others joining in to slap the victim.

Following a complaint lodged by the food stall owner, Kashimira police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) against unidentified persons. The case has been filed under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, and an investigation is currently underway.

The incident comes amidst ongoing efforts by members of the MNS to promote the use of the Marathi language in commercial establishments and banks across the state. This alleged act of violence has once again brought the contentious issue of linguistic enforcement into public discourse.

With inputs from PTI