Seat Dispute in Mumbai Local Train Sparks Marathi vs Hindi Language Row
Viral video shows woman telling co-passenger to "speak Marathi or get out"; RPF, GRP begin probe into incident
A routine squabble over a seat in a crowded ladies’ coach of a Mumbai local train turned into a heated language row earlier this week, reflecting the growing tension around linguistic identity in Maharashtra.
The incident occurred on Friday evening on a train operating along the Central line. What began as a verbal spat between two groups of women passengers quickly escalated when one woman confronted another, reportedly saying, “If you want to stay in our Mumbai, speak Marathi, otherwise get out.”
A video of the confrontation has since gone viral on social media, drawing widespread attention. In the footage, six to seven women can be seen arguing—an everyday occurrence in Mumbai’s packed trains—but the situation took a divisive turn when language became the focal point.
Soon after the remark, several other passengers joined the fray, turning the dispute into a ‘Marathi vs Hindi’ debate within the confined space of the train compartment.
Officials from the Railway Protection Force (RPF) and Government Railway Police (GRP) confirmed that they are investigating the matter. “We are reviewing the video and speaking to witnesses. Necessary action will be taken if any laws were violated,” said a GRP official.
The incident comes amid an ongoing state-wide debate over the promotion of the Marathi language. Political parties, particularly Raj Thackeray’s Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), have been accused of targeting non-Marathi speakers and intensifying linguistic divides.
Activists and citizens have expressed concern over such confrontations spilling into public spaces, warning that they risk alienating linguistic communities and undermining Mumbai’s cosmopolitan identity.
So far, no arrests have been made in connection with the incident, but officials stated that any communal or provocative statements will be taken seriously under the Indian Penal Code and Railway Acts.
