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Navi Mumbai: A 20-year-old college student in Navi Mumbai was left seriously injured after being assaulted outside his college, following an online dispute over the use of Marathi language in a student WhatsApp group. Police sources said the students were all part of a college WhatsApp group and had been exchanging messages in Hindi on Monday.
In response, one student replied in Marathi, writing, "Speak in Marathi, otherwise Raj Thackeray will come." The message, perceived as semi-threatening, appeared to be a provocative nod to the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) leader, whose party is known for aggressively championing Marathi linguistic identity.
The comment sparked a heated argument online, which soon spilled over into real-world violence. On Tuesday morning, at around 10:30 AM, four students confronted the victim outside the college premises in Vashi, as reported by NDTV. Among the group was Faizan Naik, who allegedly struck the student on the head with a hockey stick. The blow left the young man with serious injuries.
Police at Vashi Police Station have registered an FIR in connection with the incident. Assistant Commissioner of Police Adinath Budhwant as quoted by NDTV confirmed that the attack stemmed from the earlier disagreement on the WhatsApp group and assured that a full investigation is underway.
The assault has also drawn political attention. Senior MNS figures, including party spokesperson Gajanan Kale, visited the injured student and his family in hospital, before meeting with police officials to demand firm action against those responsible.
