Language, Identity, and Intimidation: The Assault of a Migrant Auto Driver in Virar Sparks Outrage

The Incident

In a deeply unsettling event that has sparked statewide debate, a migrant auto-rickshaw driver was physically assaulted in Virar, a fast-growing satellite city near Mumbai, allegedly by workers from the Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS). The driver, originally from Uttar Pradesh, was targeted after refusing to converse in Marathi and instead choosing to respond in Hindi and Bhojpuri—his native languages.

The assault, which occurred on July 12, 2025, took place in broad daylight near the Virar railway station, one of the busiest commuter hubs in the Vasai-Virar region. Multiple videos recorded by bystanders show the driver surrounded by a group of men and women, some of whom slapped him while forcing him to publicly apologize to "Marathi-speaking people" and the state of Maharashtra.

Background: The Viral Spark

The conflict reportedly began after the driver had an argument with a passenger over the use of language. The passenger, a Marathi-speaking commuter, requested that the driver communicate in Marathi. When the driver refused and insisted on speaking in Hindi or Bhojpuri, the argument escalated. A video capturing the driver asserting his right to speak in his mother tongue quickly circulated on social media, prompting political workers affiliated with regional parties to take notice.

Hours later, workers from Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray faction) and the MNS reportedly located the driver near the railway station. In a dramatic and disturbing display of vigilantism, they cornered him, slapped him several times, and forced him to fold his hands in apology. His apology was recorded and posted online, with some attackers boasting about the incident.

Language Politics in Maharashtra

This incident is not isolated. It reflects a long-standing undercurrent in Maharashtra’s regional politics where language is tightly intertwined with identity, pride, and power. The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, founded in 2006 by Raj Thackeray, has repeatedly stirred controversy over its demand that migrants and business owners use Marathi in public life. Similarly, the Shiv Sena, both in its original and splintered forms, has often projected itself as the defender of "Marathi Manoos" (Marathi people).

For decades, there have been periodic flare-ups involving North Indian migrants—particularly those from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar—who make up a significant portion of Mumbai’s and its suburbs’ informal workforce. Migrants often work as drivers, construction workers, vendors, and security guards.

The argument from regional parties has been that migrants must integrate into local culture by learning and using Marathi. However, critics argue that such demands cross into coercion and xenophobia, especially when enforced through violence.

Political Response

Leaders from Shiv Sena (UBT) justified the incident. A prominent local functionary from Virar publicly stated that the attack was a “necessary reaction” to protect the dignity of Marathi language. According to him, “If someone comes to Maharashtra, they must respect our language. If they insult it, there will be consequences.”

Members of MNS made similar remarks, with some workers proudly stating that their party’s stance on language has remained firm for decades. They claimed that their actions were in line with Raj Thackeray’s directive to uphold Marathi pride.

These justifications, however, have drawn heavy criticism from civil rights organizations, opposition leaders, and social media users across the country. Many have denounced the act as mob justice, saying that no language dispute justifies violence.

Police Action and Legal Status

Despite clear video evidence, the Virar police initially did not file an FIR (First Information Report). According to police officials, no formal complaint had been made by the auto driver, and without it, they were restricted in their action. This triggered widespread concern about law enforcement’s passivity in politically sensitive cases.

Later in the evening, after pressure from local residents and media coverage, police initiated a suo motu (on their own) case. Sources confirmed that an FIR was eventually filed under sections related to assault, criminal intimidation, and unlawful assembly. Eight individuals have been named in the report, with three already detained for questioning.

Activists have also demanded that the driver be provided legal protection and support, fearing retaliation if he files a formal complaint.

Voices from the Ground

Among the first to condemn the incident were local commuters who witnessed the assault. One woman, who preferred not to be named, described the scene as “shameful and disturbing.” She said, “The driver was polite in his earlier argument. He just wanted to speak the language he was most comfortable in. What gives anyone the right to hit him for that?”

In Uttar Pradesh, migrant workers’ associations voiced strong objections and called on both the Maharashtra government and the central government to ensure the safety of workers in Mumbai’s extended suburbs. A member of the North Indian Welfare Association stated, “We’ve seen this pattern before. It starts with language and ends in mob violence. These people are here to earn a living, not to engage in identity wars.”

Constitutional Rights and Language Freedom

The Indian Constitution guarantees freedom of speech and expression under Article 19(1)(a). It also allows for individuals to use any of the 22 official languages recognized in the Eighth Schedule, including Hindi, Marathi, and Bhojpuri.

Legal experts argue that while cultural integration is encouraged, coercion to speak a particular language goes against the democratic ethos of India. Linguistic diversity is protected by law, and no state or party has the right to enforce language norms through physical violence or intimidation.

Migrant Communities React

Virar and nearby Vasai have seen a surge in internal migrants over the past two decades due to the expansion of Mumbai’s urban sprawl. These suburbs host thousands of rickshaw drivers, most of whom are from North India, especially districts in eastern Uttar Pradesh and western Bihar.

Many of these migrants are now living in fear. Several rickshaw unions have reported drivers refusing to operate in certain areas after the assault video went viral. Some drivers have also reported being verbally abused by passengers demanding they “speak Marathi or leave.”

Local NGOs have stepped in, offering legal help and counseling services to affected drivers. A union leader from Virar stated, “We respect Marathi. Many of us even speak it fluently. But enforcing it with a slap is not the Maharashtra we came to work in.”

What Lies Ahead?

This incident raises key questions about the future of regional identity politics in a rapidly urbanizing India. It calls into question the responsibility of political parties, law enforcement, and civil society to uphold constitutional values, especially for vulnerable migrant communities.

There is also a growing demand that the state government take a clear stand on the issue—not just in condemning violence, but in ensuring that Maharashtra remains inclusive, not exclusionary.

If left unchecked, such acts risk damaging the social fabric of one of India’s most linguistically and culturally diverse states. Maharashtra has long prided itself on being both progressive and rooted in tradition. Reconciling these two aspects will be its greatest political and moral challenge in the days ahead.