Be it Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, West Bengal or Maharashtra, incidents of violence and harrasment keeps coming up in the name of language pride. In a disturbing incident that highlights the growing menace of language chauvinism, a family in Dombivli, Maharashtra assaulted their neighbours simply because the latter dared to say “excuse me” in English. Yes, you read that right.
A polite phrase, uttered by millions of Indians every day, became the spark that ignited a shameful episode of mob violence. The incident occurred on Monday at the Ganesh Shraddha building in old Dombivli when Poonam Gupta returned home with her nine-month-old baby and her friend Jyoti Chavan. A family function was underway at the home of their neighbours the Dhobles whose relatives were crowding the entrance to the building. When Gupta requested to pass through, using the phrase “excuse me” in English, the Dhoble family reportedly took offence and demanded she speak in Marathi.
Instead of responding with civility or even mild irritation, members of the Dhoble family launched a violent assault upon the two ladies. Jyoti Chavan was reportedly the first to be attacked. Poonam Gupta, despite holding her infant in her arms, was not spared either. As the situation escalated, Gupta’s husband Ankit rushed to their aid, only to be beaten with a stick. In a civilised society, such savagery should be unthinkable, yet here it is, unfolding over language preference.
Initially, police at the Vishnu Nagar station registered non-cognizable cross-complaints, claiming injuries were present on both sides.
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However, with the emergence of CCTV footage clearly showing the Dhoble family as aggressors, the police are now reconsidering their stand.
Senior Inspector Sanjay Pawar has stated that a fresh statement will be recorded from Gupta, and that a formal FIR will be lodged if she chooses to proceed.
What this incident lays bare is not just the violence itself, but the dangerous rise of self-appointed “language warriors” who believe their regional pride gives them the right to police others’ tongues. India is a multilingual nation, and linguistic diversity is not a threat, it’s a strength. But time and again, language extremists have tried to reduce language to a tool of dominance, rather than communication.
