The beating of a Maharashtrian family in Kalyan has sparked outrage

A dispute between neighbors in an Ajmera Heights apartment building in Kalyan, Maharashtra turned into a story of communal conflict between Maharashtrians and non-Marathi speaking residents of the state. This controversy gained enough traction to even be mentioned in the state assembly meeting.

Six persons, including Akhilesh Shukla and his wife, were produced before the Kalyan Judicial Magistrate for allegedly abusing their Marathi-speaking neighbor Dhiraj Deshmukh and his family members. According to the police officer, Mr. Shukla, with the help of the husband and wife, attacked three people including members of Deshmukh’s family and co-accused Sumit Jadhav and Darshan Borade.

All six have been arrested and produced before a magistrate, the official said. Officials said that they will be kept in police custody for six days from Saturday (December 21, 2024).

On Friday, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced the suspension of Mr. Shukla, who was working as an official of the Maharashtra Tourism Corporation yesterday. Further, Mr. Shukla’s private car was impounded for unauthorized use of amber lights.

Shukla was fined Rs 9,500 for using amber lights without authority. His vehicle did not have valid insurance or pollution control certification. It also had a plate with Maharashtra government written on it,” said regional transport officer Ashutosh Barkul.

Police have registered a case against Shukla and his wife under sections 74 (causing trauma or criminal coercion to a woman), 115 (voluntarily causing hurt), 351 (3) (criminal intimidation), 189 (2) of the Indian Penal Code. ) (3), and (5) (unlawful assembly), and others.

Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray wrote on social media platform X warning of violence from “soldiers of Maharashtra”. Arrest the accused in this welfare case, I want to show what the fear of the law is. And if the government fails to do it, if Maharashtra soldiers attack, don’t point a finger at us,” he said in the post.

He also said that as important as Hindu unity is, ‘there should be no attempt to crush the language, local people and culture of each province’.

He accused the Bharatiya Janata Party government of being helpless to resolve this situation for the vote. My question to those who are asking for votes in the name of ‘dear sister’ is that the person who beat your dear sister is not the wife, mother or sister? Ministerial posts will be enjoyed by Maharashtrians. But the son of the same country will not support you! Why are you closer to these people (non-Maharashtrians) than your Marathi brethren? I don’t know where this helplessness of yours came from. This is making you sad,” the MNS chief said.