Aaditya Thackeray Breaks Silence On Marathi Language Uproar In Mumbai

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], July 03: Aaditya Thackeray, a leader of Shiv Sena (UBT), strongly rejected the claims that some shopkeepers were forced to apologise for not speaking Marathi. During the Monsoon session at Vidhan Bhavan, he said no one should insult Marathi, but also warned people not to act against others without proof. According to him, the issue started when an officer entered a shop just to charge his phone but was denied. Things turned heated and led to a small scuffle, which was wrongly linked to a language issue by many.

The Video that Sparked the Fire

A video had gone viral in which Shiv Sena leader Rajan Vichare was seen calling traders to his office. Rumours spread that they were forced to say sorry for not using Marathi. However, Aaditya clarified that this was not true. He spoke to Vichare, who said the video was not about Marathi versus non-Marathi. An argument had taken place, but it had nothing to do with any language conflict. Aaditya said the matter was already with the police, and the wrong picture was being shown in the media.

No Community Targeted, Says Aaditya

Aaditya Thackeray clearly stated that no community or group was targeted. “This is not about North India or South India or any religion,” he said. He believes such incidents are being made bigger by some people. He said that people do so to spread confusion. Aaditya Thackeray said Marathi is pride of Maharashtra, but no one should be hurt or insulted just because they don’t speak it. He requested people to behave calmly and not take any action on their own. He said both language and people must be respected equally.

Shops Shut in Protest Across Mumbai

Many shops in parts of Mumbai remained closed on Thursday. Shopkeepers said they were scared of being attacked. They were scared that might be targeted due to language. This came after other similar incidents. One such incident was about Mira Road. There, a restaurant owner was beaten up for not using Marathi with his customers. Some shop owners felt that a peaceful business environment was slowly being replaced by fear. Aaditya Thackeray said such actions harm the image of the state and must be stopped before they grow further.

Maharashtra’s History with Marathi Identity

Maharashtra has always had deep respect for its language. Marathi is not just a way of communication, but a part of daily pride and history. From school lessons to street signs, the language has shaped the identity of the state. Over the years, political parties have raised their voice to promote it, but sometimes, this voice gets too loud. Aaditya Thackeray’s remarks try to balance respect with peace, showing that Marathi should be loved, not used as a tool to hurt others.