Are You Not From Hindustan?’: Ghatkopar Woman Slammed for Not Speaking Marathi — Viral Video Sparks Outrage with 2M+ Views
A woman in Mumbai’s Ghatkopar was allegedly harassed for not speaking Marathi. Her bold response — “Are you not from Hindustan?” — has gone viral with over 2 million views, igniting a fresh language debate
A fresh controversy over language erupted in Mumbai’s Ghatkopar when a woman was allegedly harassed by a group of individuals for not speaking Marathi. A video of the incident, which quickly went viral on July 20, shows the woman being surrounded and confronted outside her residence by several people who demanded that she speak in Marathi.
According to the woman, identified as Sanjira Devi, she was standing near her home when a group of men blocked her path. When she asked them to move aside, they reportedly insisted she speak in Marathi, reported NDTV. Upon refusing, an argument broke out. In the video, one of the men can be seen aggressively pointing a finger at her and shouting, “Speak in Marathi. This is Maharashtra.” Others in the group echoed similar sentiments, continuing to shout at her.
The woman, however, responded by stating her linguistic freedom, saying, “No, you speak in Hindi. Tell me, aren’t you Indian? Are you not from Hindustan?” The confrontation escalated briefly before a crowd gathered at the spot, and someone informed the police. By the time the police arrived, the accused individuals had fled. This incident has added to a growing number of similar confrontations in the city surrounding the use of language in public spaces.
Just days earlier, on July 16, a local businessman in Vikhroli’s Tagore Nagar area was allegedly assaulted by Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) workers after he posted a provocative WhatsApp status seen as derogatory towards the Marathi community. The message reportedly read: “See the power of a Rajasthani. Beat the Marathi in Maharashtra itself. We are Marwaris, nobody can stand before us.”
The accused, identified as Prem Singh Devda, originally from Rajasthan, had been running a medical shop in the area. According to local sources, his post reached MNS leader Santosh Desai, leading party worker Vishwajit Dholam and others to confront Devda around 3 PM. They allegedly assaulted him, forced him to apologise in public, and paraded him through the market.
Devda was later taken to Vikhroli Police Station, where he issued a written apology. He reportedly left for his native village soon after. Senior Police Inspector Suryakant Naikwadi confirmed that no FIR had been filed, as neither party lodged a formal complaint.
Mumbai, often celebrated as India’s melting pot of cultures, is once again at the center of a linguistic controversy. A viral video from Ghatkopar is making waves across social media, showing a woman boldly questioning regional language bias after allegedly being forced to speak in Marathi by locals.
The woman’s firm rebuttal — “Are you not from Hindustan?” — has sparked a massive public response, accumulating over 2 million views in less than 24 hours, and igniting fresh debates around regionalism vs. nationalism, language rights, and urban tolerance.
The video, believed to be recorded on July 20, 2025, captures a confrontation on a busy street in Ghatkopar East, a predominantly Marathi-speaking suburb in Mumbai. According to eyewitnesses, a woman, reportedly a North Indian migrant, was allegedly scolded by a group for not conversing in Marathi while interacting with local vendors.
The argument escalated when she was told:
“If you live in Maharashtra, speak Marathi.”
The woman’s now-viral reply:
Are you not from Hindustan? This is my country too. I will speak in Hindi.”
Her powerful retort and refusal to back down was captured by a bystander and quickly uploaded to Instagram and X (formerly Twitter), where it exploded.
Social media is now ablaze with both support and criticism. While many praised the woman for standing up for linguistic freedom, others felt she disrespected Maharashtra’s cultural identity.
Supporters said:
- “She’s right. Hindi is a national language. No one should be forced to speak a regional tongue.”
- “Mumbai belongs to every Indian — not just Marathi speakers.”
- “This is what happens when regionalism is taken too far.”
Critics argued:
- “If you live in Maharashtra, you should at least learn basic Marathi.”
- “Respecting local language is part of cultural sensitivity.”
This linguistic flashpoint has reignited debates on Hindi vs. regional languages, reminiscent of similar past controversies in Bengaluru, Chennai, and Pune.
The virality of the clip has now caught the attention of public figures:
- Raj Thackeray’s MNS issued a statement reaffirming their stance that Marathi should be respected in Maharashtra.
- Shiv Sena leaders called the incident a “media distraction” but emphasized coexistence and mutual respect.
- Bollywood actor Riteish Deshmukh, known for his Marathi roots, tweeted: “Let’s not divide each other through language. Let’s unite through humanity.”
Although no formal complaint has been filed, legal experts suggest this could fall under linguistic discrimination if harassment is proven. The Constitution of India guarantees:
- Freedom of speech and expression (Article 19)
- Right to reside and settle in any part of the country (Article 19(e))
- Promotion and protection of all Indian languages (Article 29 & 30)
Rights activists warn that forcing anyone to speak a regional language could amount to coercion and infringe on personal liberty.
Mumbai, with its multi-ethnic population of 2+ crore, has a long history of language-driven tension:
- In 2008, North Indian migrants were targeted over language and employment disputes.
- The Marathi signboard rule mandated shops to display names in Marathi font — a move criticized as exclusionary by some.
- Metro station name rows and public transport signboards have also seen language-based conflicts.
This latest Ghatkopar incident once again highlights the underlying unease between regional pride and national identity in urban India.
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