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Student Assaulted for Not Speaking Marathi Dies by Suicide in Thane
A 20-year-old college student from Thane, Maharashtra, died by suicide after allegedly being beaten by a group of youths for not speaking Marathi. The victim, Aditya (name changed), was a second-year B.Com student and belonged to a non-Marathi-speaking family. The incident has reignited debates on linguistic discrimination and regional intolerance in the state.
Details of the Tragic Incident
According to police reports, Aditya was attacked near his college on October 10 after a group of local students confronted him for speaking Hindi instead of Marathi. Eyewitnesses say he was brutally assaulted when he failed to comply.
Traumatized by the attack, Aditya returned home without informing his family. The next morning, he was found dead in his room. A suicide note recovered by police cited the humiliation and fear of further harassment as reasons for his extreme step.
Public Outrage and Protests
The incident has sparked widespread condemnation, with student groups and activists demanding justice. Thane Police have filed an FIR under IPC sections related to abetment of suicide, assault, and promoting enmity. Three suspects have been detained.
Protests erupted outside the victim’s college, with demonstrators calling for stricter laws against linguistic discrimination. “No one should be attacked for their language,” said a student union leader.
Political Leaders React
Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde expressed grief and vowed strict action. “Violence in the name of language will not be tolerated,” he stated.
Opposition leaders criticized the government for failing to address regional extremism. “This is not an isolated case—non-Marathi speakers face routine harassment,” a senior leader said.
Linguistic Discrimination in Maharashtra
The tragedy highlights Maharashtra’s long-standing issue of linguistic intolerance. While Marathi is the state’s official language, activists argue that aggressive enforcement has led to violence against non-native speakers, particularly migrants.
Mental Health and Institutional Failure
Aditya’s family said he had no access to counseling after the assault. Mental health experts stress the need for colleges to provide psychological support to prevent such tragedies.
Will This Lead to Change?
While authorities promise action, activists demand systemic reforms, including anti-discrimination programs in schools and stricter hate crime laws.
Aditya’s death underscores the urgent need to address linguistic bigotry before more lives are lost.
— NextMinuteNews
(Names withheld for privacy.)
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