In a fresh incident highlighting growing tensions between Marathi and Non-Marathi communities in Mumbai, a Marathi family was reportedly subjected to discriminatory behavior in Ghatkopar, a suburban locality. This latest event follows a pattern of similar instances where the Marathi language and people have been insulted, raising concerns over increasing communal discord.

The incident occurred in a residential society predominantly housing Jain, Gujarati, and Marwadi families, where a Marathi family was allegedly humiliated for their consumption of non-vegetarian food. According to reports, a resident of the society, identified as Shah, made derogatory remarks, calling the family “dirty Marathi people” and criticizing them for eating fish and mutton.

This alarming episode was brought to light by Raj Parte, Vice-President of the MNS (Maharashtra Navnirman Sena) Workers’ Union, who visited the society with his supporters to protest the disrespectful behavior. Raj Parte shared a video of the incident, showing the heated exchange between him and the society’s officials. The society, which houses only four Marathi families, is otherwise dominated by Gujarati, Jain, and Marwadi residents.

Raj Parte questioned the society’s management about the insulting remarks and treatment faced by the Marathi family. However, the accused, Shah, did not appear to respond to the allegations. The other residents in the society defended their stance, claiming they do not engage in any form of Marathi vs Non-Marathi discrimination and that there were no restrictions placed on the consumption of non-vegetarian food by the Marathi families.

The incident in Ghatkopar follows a series of controversial statements and actions that have sparked a growing divide between Marathi and Non-Marathi communities. Recently, RSS leader Bhayyaji Joshi had stirred controversy by asserting that the language spoken in Ghatkopar was not Marathi but Gujarati.

This event has further fueled the debate surrounding regional identity and the treatment of Marathi-speaking individuals in Mumbai, a city known for its diversity.