‘Speak Marathi, not English’: Woman carrying baby, kin thrashed for saying ‘Excuse me’ in Thane | Thane News
KALYAN: Reportedly angry over being addressed in English when asked to make way, a family allegedly thrashed their neighbours in Dombivli on Monday. Both families filed cross-complaints of assault.
The incident occurred when Poonam Gupta, who lives in the Ganesh Shraddha building in old Dombivli, returned home with her nine-month-old child and friend, Jyoti Chavan.
A function was underway at the home of her neighbours, the Dhobles, whose relatives were reportedly blocking the entrance.
When Gupta politely said “excuse me” in English to pass through, the Dhoble family allegedly took offence and demanded she speak in Marathi.
Police said the altercation escalated quickly. Jyoti was allegedly assaulted first, followed by Gupta, who said she was attacked despite holding her infant.
According to her complaint, more members of the Dhoble family joined in, and her husband Ankit, who arrived later to help, was beaten with a stick.
Both families were taken to the Vishnu Nagar police station, where officers initially registered a non-cognizable cross-complaint, citing injuries on both sides. “The complainant’s side also responded physically, reportedly in self-defence,” a police officer said.
However, after CCTV footage of the incident surfaced on social media—clearly showing members of the Dhoble family assaulting Gupta, her friend, and her husband—police are now reconsidering their stand.
“We have called complainant Poonam Gupta to record a fresh statement,” said Senior Inspector Sanjay Pawar of Vishnu Nagar police station. “If she wishes to file an FIR, appropriate action will follow based on her statement.”
Gupta, who works as an accountant along with her friend, said the family is now living in fear. “Even after this attack, the police didn’t take it seriously until the video went viral,” she told TOI.
