'I Won’t Speak Marathi,' Says Airtel Employee In Viral Video; Outrage Ensues

A video of an Airtel service centre employee declining to communicate in Marathi has gone viral, sparking outrage across social media. The incident took place in the Charkop area of Mumbai, where a young man visited the centre to address an issue with his Airtel network connection. The man, who struggles with Hindi, began conversing in Marathi. However, the female employee, who did not understand Marathi, responded in blunt Hindi, which angered the customer.

Frustrated, the young man insisted on speaking in Marathi, as he could not fully comprehend Hindi. In response, the employee, who also seems not proficient in Marathi, tells him, "I will not speak Marathi. Do whatever you want me to do." The situation escalated further when the employee called over nearby shopkeepers, who began threatening the young man.

The entire incident was captured on video and quickly went viral. Many people were left angered by the employee's refusal to engage in Marathi, especially considering the state government's policy requiring knowledge of the language in Maharashtra.

Following the video's spread, political leaders from the Shiv Sena Thackeray faction and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena condemned the employee's actions. Both parties have threatened strong protests against Airtel for not addressing the issue. Shiv Sena workers also visited the Airtel service centre, and their own protest video is now making rounds on social media.

This incident has reignited debates about the use of Marathi in the state, especially after the government's push for the language. The employee's actions have raised questions about language sensitivities in Maharashtra.