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Linguistic tensions in
Maharashtra are once again in the headlines. Arnav Jitendra Khaire, a
19-year-old college student from Kalyan, committed suicide by hanging himself
after returning home on November 18th, reportedly due to the trauma of being
assaulted on a Mumbai local train for not speaking Marathi. This incident
highlights the growing Hindi-Marathi language conflict in Maharashtra, where
young lives have been lost solely because of language.What happened?: Arnav Khaire was a first-year BSc student at Kelkar
College in Mulund. On the morning of November 18th, he was traveling to college
on a local train from Kalyan. When someone pushed him on the crowded train,
Arnav said in Hindi, "Brother, please move forward a little" or
"Don't push." Hearing this, four or five passengers standing nearby
became angry and taunted, "Are you ashamed of speaking Marathi?"
Arnav repeatedly explained that he was Marathi, but the accused refused to
listen and brutally beat him between Kalyan and Thane stations. Fearful and
shocked, Arnav got off at Thane station. He somehow managed to catch another
train to college and returned home after attending his practicals. In the
afternoon, he called his father, Jitendra Khaire, and tearfully recounted the
incident, saying, "Papa, I'm very scared, I'm not feeling well." When
his father arrived home around 7 p.m., the room door was locked from inside.
Neighbors helped break open the door and found Arnav hanging from a dupatta. He
was immediately rushed to Rukmani Bai Hospital, where doctors declared him
dead.
Police Investigation and Family Demands: Kolsewadi police have
registered an Accidental Death Report (ADR) in the case, and a formal
investigation has been initiated based on his father, Jitendra Khaire's
complaint. Police are examining CCTV footage from Thane and Kalyan railway
stations, and are also searching for potential witnesses based on the timing of
that particular train. The family unequivocally demands that a murder case be
filed against the accused and that the strictest possible action be taken against
them, ensuring that the culprits are not spared under any circumstances.
Father Jitendra Khaire told
the media, "My son was a Marathi, but he was beaten simply for speaking
Hindi. This devastated him so much that he took this extreme step. We want justice."
This is not the first
incident. In the past few months, Hindi versus Marathi disputes on Mumbai local
trains have turned violent several times. Political parties also continue to
stir up the issue. Experts say that linguistic intolerance is having a profound
impact on the mental health of young people.