Legal Notice Served to MNS Over Forced Marathi Enforcement Amid Rising Tensions

Mumbai: Advocate Abid Abbas Sayyed has issued a legal notice against Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) for their unlawful enforcement of Marathi language use, following a series of alleged assaults and intimidation by MNS workers across Maharashtra. The notice has also been sent to DGP Rashmi Shukla and Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

The action comes after a security guard in Thane was reportedly assaulted for not speaking Marathi, and similar incidents were reported in Pune and Versova, where MNS members allegedly targeted individuals over language use. The notice underscores that while Marathi is the official language of Maharashtra, no person or group has the right to impose language mandates through coercion or violence.

Citing Article 19 of the Indian Constitution, the advocate stated: “Every citizen of India has the right to communicate in any constitutionally permitted language.” The notice labels these incidents as “unconstitutional, undemocratic, and unlawful,” and urges immediate police accountability and institutional safeguards.

The situation escalated after MNS chief Raj Thackeray, during the Gudi Padwa "Mi Marathi" campaign on March 30, told supporters not to hesitate in slapping those who refuse to speak Marathi. However, following strong backlash and intervention by CM Fadnavis, Thackeray asked workers to stop using aggressive tactics.

Sayyed has demanded action within seven days, warning that failure to do so will prompt judicial intervention in the Bombay High Court.