Watch: MNS party workers vandalise Sushil Kedia's office in Mumbai over Marathi remark; 5 arrested

A recent incident in Maharashtra has highlighted the ongoing controversy over local languages' imposition among the non-Marathi speaking citizens, similar to issues reported from Bengaluru and the alleged demand for learning the Kannada language.

Economist Sushil Kedia stirred a controversy when he stated he would not learn Marathi, the local language, despite pressure from the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) party.

Take a look at the video below

In response, MNS party workers targeted his office in Worli, Mumbai. A video surfaced showing the office name board reading "WeWork," with one side shuttered down, while the side door was left unprotected.

5 arrested

The police informed news agency PTI that five MNS supporters were detained for attack on Sushil Kedia's office over the social media post challenging Raj Thackeray on Marathi issue.

Kedia's video clarification

Kedia soon clarified after his X post trigerred an outrage. He uploaded a video on X, in which he was heard saying, "I ended up overreacting. I realize I must take back my overreactions and withdraw.

In the post, he also expressed gratitude towards MNS party chief, Raj Thackeray. He said, "I have always had a deep sense of appreciation and gratitude for Mr. Raj Thackeray for the strong issues he raises. He’s always been a hero..."

The attackers, wearing saffron scarves purportedly with the party logo, repeatedly threw stones or what appeared to be coconut shells at the office door.

They parked vehicles in front of the office and started to vandalize the door with significant rage.

Security personnel 'laughs' as MNS attacks Kedia's office

The video even showed an uniformed security personnel deployed at the site, however, he failed to control the situation.

When a few party workers threw stones at Kedia's office door, the security, who wore an uniform resembling that of a CRPF official, ran left and right to control miscreants but couldn't stop them single handedly.

After initial attempts to control the violent situation, the man appeared to be laughing. The visuals recorded his inability to restrict charged workers from vandalising the workplace in Worli, Mumbai.

The footage, which is now going viral, also captured the security adjusting his hair and walking away to safeguard himself amidst chaos.

More details

Earlier, he had approached the police after he was threatened over his post on X handle.

"I don’t know Marathi properly even after living for 30 years in Mumbai & with your gross misconduct I have made it a resolve that until such people as you are allowed to pretend to be taking care of Marathi Manus I take pratigya I won’t learn Marathi. Kya karna hai bol?" Kedia had posted on X.

Speaking to PTI, Kedia recalled that the attackers were raising slogans in support of Marathi and praising Raj Thackeray, the chief of the concerned party.