Mumbai: A college in Navi Mumbai’s Vashi became the epicentre of a language-based conflict after a 20-year-old Marathi student was allegedly assaulted for distributing a wedding invitation card written in Marathi.

What began as a personal celebration took a violent turn when a group of non-Marathi students reportedly objected to receiving the invite in the regional language. The argument soon escalated, culminating in the student being allegedly beaten with a hockey stick.

The incident has ignited political reactions, with the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) stepping in to demand strict action. MNS leader Gajanan Kale visited the Vashi police station and formally submitted a complaint, calling the assault more than just an isolated college brawl.

"This isn't just a fight. This reflects a deepening divide between Marathi and non-Marathi students in educational institutions," Kale said at a press conference. He also criticized politicians like Nishikant Dubey, claiming their rhetoric has spilled into campus life.

The MNS is pressing for immediate police intervention and safeguards for Marathi-speaking students across colleges, asserting that no student should face hostility over their language or cultural expression.