In a deeply disturbing incident that has triggered widespread outrage, two women in Dombivli were allegedly assaulted by a group of residents — including women and young men — after one of them used the phrase “excuse me” in English instead of Marathi. Shockingly, one of the victims was carrying a nine-month-old infant at the time of the attack.
The confrontation, captured on video and now circulating widely on social media, took place near the entrance of a residential society where the women live. According to the complaint, the altercation began when the woman riding the scooter politely said “excuse me” to a young man obstructing the entrance. Reportedly offended by the use of English, the man demanded she speak in Marathi.
The situation quickly escalated. The man allegedly twisted the arm of the pillion rider, and within moments, several of his family members — including four to five women and two young men — joined in and began physically assaulting the two women, showing no regard for the infant present.
Eyewitnesses supported the victims’ claims, describing the attack as unprovoked and aggressive. “Saying ‘excuse me’ is common courtesy. The response was completely unwarranted,” the complainant said.
Senior Inspector Sanjay Pawar from Vishnu Nagar police station confirmed that a preliminary investigation is underway, though no First Information Report (FIR) has been filed yet. Authorities are also exploring whether the incident may be linked to any prior disputes between the involved families.
The case has reignited debates around linguistic tolerance and identity in Maharashtra, especially in light of recent developments. The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), led by Raj Thackeray, recently initiated a campaign pushing for mandatory use of Marathi by bank employees. In response, the United Forum of Bank Unions raised concerns with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, alleging that MNS members had entered banks and issued threats to staff.
As the Dombivli incident fuels tensions over language and cultural coexistence in urban Maharashtra, many are calling for stronger action to prevent such intolerance and ensure safety for all residents, regardless of the language they speak.
(This story is published from a syndicated feed)