Bollywood actor Ranvir Shorey has spoken out strongly against a recent incident in Maharashtra where members of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) allegedly assaulted a Gujarati shopkeeper for not speaking Marathi. The incident, which took place in Mumbai’s Mira Road area, has gone viral on social media and sparked widespread outrage.
Ranvir Shorey reacts
Shorey took to his X (formerly Twitter) handle to share a video of the incident, calling it “sickening” and “disturbing.” In the video, MNS workers—wearing the party`s signature scarves—can be seen allegedly attacking the restaurant owner for his inability to speak Marathi.
This is sickening. Monsters on the loose, looking for attention and political relevance. Where’s L&O, @CMOMaharashtra @Dev_Fadnavis? https://t.co/sMYUMcN1la
— Ranvir Shorey (@RanvirShorey) July 2, 2025
Tagging Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis, Shorey questioned the state’s law and order situation, tweeting:
“This is sickening. Monsters on the loose, looking for attention and political relevance. Where’s L&O, @CMOMaharashtra @Dev_Fadnavis?”
The Ek Tha Tiger actor didn’t stop there. He also hit back at trolls attempting to justify the assault. One user asked, “How many years have you lived in Maharashtra? How much effort have you made to learn Marathi?” To this, Shorey sharply replied:
“First, I’m not answerable to a hateful anonymous troll like you for any of these questions. Second, you’re really dumb if you think beating people up will make them learn and speak a language. And finally, if you do want to bring attention to the issue, there are more positive & constructive ways to bring about change, or even protest for political mileage, instead of beating hapless citizens who’re just trying to make a living!”
A pattern of violence?
The incident occurred shortly after the Maharashtra government rolled back its proposed three-language policy, a move that had already drawn criticism from opposition parties.
Unfortunately, this is not an isolated event. In March 2025, MNS members allegedly assaulted a shopkeeper at a D-Mart outlet in Versova after he refused to converse in Marathi. According to reports, the man had said, “I will only speak in Hindi, do what you will,” which allegedly provoked the workers to slap him in what they claimed was an effort to uphold Marathi culture.
Going further back, in 2022, MNS workers were involved in another controversy when they allegedly slapped a restaurant manager in Navi Mumbai for not playing Marathi songs upon request.
Growing Concerns
These repeated incidents have raised serious questions about the misuse of political power, mob behavior under the guise of linguistic pride, and the safety of citizens who are simply trying to go about their livelihoods.
Ranvir Shorey’s strong condemnation adds to a growing chorus of voices demanding accountability, law enforcement action, and a broader discussion on the balance between regional identity and individual freedom in a diverse country like India.