A viral video showing a woman standing her ground against a man harassing her for not speaking Marathi has ignited a heated debate on language intolerance in India. The incident, shared by the X handle @gharkekalesh, captures a confrontation where the man aggressively demands that the woman speak Marathi, citing her residence in Maharashtra as the reason.
The woman, however, remains firm and unbothered. “Nahi aata mujhe Marathi. Nahi bolungi. Aata hi nahi toh kaise bolungi (I don’t know Marathi. I won’t speak it. If I don’t know it, how can I?),” she responds sharply. The man persists, questioning how she lives in Maharashtra without knowing Marathi.
Unfazed, she replies, “Meri marzi se rehti hoon. Mera khud ka ghar hai (I live here by choice. I have my own house).” When asked about her village, she retorts, “Mera gaon kahi ka bhi rahe (Wherever my village may be).”
The man continues insisting, “Speak in Marathi,” to which she fires back, “Nahi karungi. Kya kar loge? Main koi bhi bhasha se baat karun, mera zabaan meri marzi (I won’t. What will you do? I’ll speak any language I want—my tongue, my choice).”
Since being posted, the video has garnered over 2.8 lakh views and has stirred a wide range of reactions online. Many users praised the woman for her courage and calm assertiveness, while others condemned the man’s behavior.
“Language is important, but you can’t harass like this. Both of them should be polite!” one user commented. Another wrote, “If we continue down this path of linguistic intolerance, we risk creating invisible borders within our own country. Words should unite, not divide.”
One user suggested a simple approach: “If you come across language warriors, just say, ‘Okay, I’ll learn soon,’ and walk away. Don’t waste your energy.”
Several commenters also referred to constitutional rights. “There is no law mandating anyone to speak a specific language in India. Article 351 encourages the promotion of Hindi for cultural integration, not regional division,” someone noted.
Another user summed up the sentiment by saying, “We are dividing our nation by language, which is not right. Everyone has the right to live in any part of India.”
The video has now become a flashpoint in a growing national conversation on linguistic freedom, regional identity, and mutual respect.