Amid the ongoing language row in Maharashtra, actor-turned-politician Kangana Ranaut emphasized the importance of national unity, urging citizens not to let linguistic differences divide them. Speaking to NDTV, the BJP MP from Himachal Pradesh’s Mandi stated that people across India strive to connect with each other in various ways, and such disputes only disrupt those efforts. “We must stay away from anything that divides our country. People should not be divided in the name of language,” she said, addressing the tensions between Hindi and Marathi speakers in Mumbai.
Her remarks came in response to a recent incident involving Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) workers who allegedly assaulted a shopkeeper and vandalized a businessman’s office for not speaking Marathi. Reports claimed that the workers warned the shopkeeper not to live in Maharashtra if he couldn’t speak the language, threatening violence and damage to his property. This sparked widespread condemnation and reignited debates about linguistic intolerance.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis also took a firm stand against the violence, asserting that while pride in the Marathi language is natural, any form of hooliganism in its name would not be tolerated. “If anyone resorts to violence based on language, it will not be tolerated,” Fadnavis stated, reinforcing the message that unity and mutual respect must prevail over divisive tactics.
