Maharashtra: Woman Carrying 9-Month-Old Baby Assaulted for Saying 'Excuse Me' in English

A 38-year-old woman, Geeta Chauhan, and her friend were allegedly assaulted by residents of their own building in Dombivli for saying "Excuse me" in English instead of Marathi. At the time of the incident, the complainant was carrying a 9-month-old baby.

According to the complaint, on April 7, Chauhan was returning home on a bike with her friend when a man known to her, who was standing at the gate of the Ganesh Shraddha building, objected to her using English. The man, along with two others, allegedly attacked the women over the language used.

The accused have been identified as Anil Pawar, Babasaheb Dhabale, and Ritesh Dhabale — all residents of the same building. The trio allegedly slapped both women and physically assaulted them, despite one of them holding an infant. When the complainant’s sister attempted to intervene, she too was reportedly slapped and verbally abused.

A case has been registered against the accused under Sections 115(2), 352, and 324(4) of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita. Police are investigating the matter further.

The incident comes amid growing concerns over a rise in assault cases following MNS chief Raj Thackeray’s recent statement asserting that everyone living in Maharashtra must know the Marathi language.​