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Mumbai: A language controversy erupted at a D-Mart outlet in Versova, Mumbai, after an employee allegedly refused to communicate in Marathi and insisted on speaking in Hindi. The incident soon escalated, drawing the attention of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) members, who intervened in the matter.
According to eyewitness accounts, a customer requested assistance from a store employee in Marathi, but the staff member refused to respond in the local language and continued conversing in Hindi. This led to a heated exchange, which quickly gained traction among other customers present at the store. The incident was reported to local MNS workers, who reached the store to confront the management about the alleged disregard for Marathi, the official language of Maharashtra.
MNS leaders have long advocated for the prioritization of Marathi in businesses operating in Maharashtra. Party members asserted that employees in retail establishments should be well-versed in Marathi and use it as the primary medium of communication with customers.
They demanded that D-Mart take immediate corrective measures, ensuring that all employees are proficient in the local language.
Following the intervention, store authorities reportedly assured that they would address the issue internally and take necessary steps to avoid such disputes in the future. However, MNS has warned of stricter action if businesses continue to neglect Marathi-speaking customers.
The incident has reignited discussions on linguistic inclusivity in Mumbai’s commercial sector, highlighting the importance of respecting regional languages while maintaining a balance with India’s linguistic diversity.
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