Marathi vs Hindi Debate Rekindled: Vasai Fort Photoshoot Sparks Language Controversy

Mumbai, 23rd October 2025: A youth dressed as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was doing a photoshoot at Vasai Fort when a Hindi-speaking security guard stopped him, sparking a new controversy. The guard reportedly refused to speak in Marathi.

In Mumbai, the Marathi vs Hindi language debate has resurfaced yet again. For years, Marathi speakers have alleged that non-Marathi residents often do not learn the local language and sometimes oppose using it. Several videos in the past have gone viral, showing disputes between Marathi and non-Marathi locals.

The latest video, shot at Vasai Fort, shows a youth dressed as Shivaji Maharaj being stopped by a security guard. When the youth asked the guard to speak in Marathi, the guard continued speaking in Hindi, which reportedly angered the youth.

The incident escalated into an argument between the youth and the security guard. The youth, in full Shivaji Maharaj attire, was taking photos when the guard interrupted the shoot and requested him to stop. Despite repeated requests to communicate in Marathi, the guard refused and continued speaking in Hindi, according to witnesses.

The video has since gone viral on social media, reigniting debates over language and cultural sensitivity in the region.