Mumbai, India: Local political groups have recently attacked shops and outlets in Mumbai, where they have done so for the ulterior motive of not using the Marathi language. This attack has forced local businessmen and citizens to think about the issue of democracy and local languages. A video of local politicians vandalizing shops is also going viral on social media.
In recent news from Maharashtra, members of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) targeted and vandalized shops without Marathi signboards. MNS’s aggressive actions included vandalizing signboards written in English. This comes after the Supreme Court gave a two-month deadline to shopkeepers and commercial establishments in the state to put up signboards in Marathi (Devanagari) script in bold letters, which ended on November 25.
According to the regulations outlined in the Maharashtra Shops and Establishments (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Rules, 2018, and the subsequent Maharashtra Shops and Establishments (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) (Amendment) Act, 2022, it is mandated that the signboards of establishments must be in the Marathi language. One of the reasons behind this attack in the city of Mumbai, which is known for its wide diversity, historical importance, and economic activities in India, is to demand that the local language be protected and preserved.
The social and political controversies arising from such attacks have worried the local citizens and have threatened the unity and peace of the city. Groups demanding security and consensus on this say that all affected persons should get justice and strict steps should be taken to stop such attacks.
After watching the viral video of local politicians vandalizing shops, users expressed their views in the comments, which saw a variety of reactions. One user wrote, ‘Still India is not literate for sure.’
Another user wrote, ‘People with too much free time on their hands, inflated ego, and shrinking brains.’
Another user wrote, ‘See this why education and real qualification is important for politicians!!’.
Another user writes, ‘Country is not in danger from outside it’s danger from inside with own people.’
