After an alleged assault on a Marathi family in the Kalyan area of Thane, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Friday said that action will be taken against those who are responsible for the incident.
Addressing a press conference, Deputy CM Shinde stated that the Kalyan issue is related to “Marathi Asmita” (Marathi identity) and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis himself has informed the Maharashtra Legislative Council about this incident.
“Kalyan issue is an important issue and this is related to the ‘Marathi Asmita’. Balasaheb Thackeray founded Shivsena to protect the Marathi Asmita and the Chief Minister has already informed the Maharashtra Legislative Council about this incident. An investigation will be done and action will be taken against those responsible for the incident…” Shinde said.
The alleged assault took place in Kalyan’s Yogi Dham area, where a government officer reportedly assaulted a Marathi family and made derogatory remarks about their ethnicity and food habits.
The accused has been identified as an employee of MTDC (Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation). He allegedly summoned goons to attack Abhijit Deshmukh, a Marathi resident, and his family after an argument escalated over lighting of incense sticks, leading to an injury of an individual.
The incident came to light after a video of the incident went viral on social media.
Earlier today, during the session of the Maharashtra Legislative Council, Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Sunil Prabhu raised the issue of the assault on a Marathi family in Kalyan and demanded action against the accused.
Maharashtra CM Fadnavis stated that an FIR has been filed against Kalyan incident accused Akhilesh Shukla and his wife.
The Chief Minister iterated that the government will ensure that there will be no injustice to the Marathi people. He added that our Constitution gives every person the right and freedom to decide what to eat. It is not right to reject a house based on eating habits.
“FIR has been filed against Kalyan incident accused Akhilesh Shukla and his wife. He is an employee of MTDC, action is being taken to suspend him. Police will take further action. No one should have any doubt that Mumbai and Maharashtra were and will remain Marathi people’s. Sometimes some people make wrong statements. We will teach such people a lesson. There was no reason to give political colour to this incident. We will not let injustice happen to the Marathi people. Our Constitution gives every person the right and freedom to decide what to eat. It is not right to reject a house based on eating habits. If such complaints are received in the future, action will be taken,” Fadnavis said in the Maharashtra Legislative Council.
Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar also said that the administration will take prompt action against the accused.
“The information given by Sunil Prabhu will be investigated immediately. No matter how senior the officer (accused) is, action will be taken. The honour of the Marathi people will be maintained in the state. The administration will take prompt action against the accused,” Pawar said.
