A shocking video showing Shiv Sena (UBT) workers — including women — slapping and humiliating an auto-rickshaw driver on a public street in Maharashtra's Palghar district has sparked outrage and debate over rising linguistic vigilantism in the state.

The incident took place near Virar railway station on Saturday and quickly went viral on social media. In the disturbing footage, the driver is seen surrounded by a group of party workers who repeatedly slap him and force him to publicly apologise — not just to a man and his sister whom he allegedly misbehaved with, but also to the entire state of Maharashtra for reportedly insulting its language, culture, and iconic figures.

According to local sources, the driver, said to be a migrant residing in Virar, had allegedly made derogatory remarks about the Marathi language and revered leaders. A clip of those remarks surfaced online before the assault, triggering swift action by political workers.

Despite the video circulating widely, the police have not registered an FIR. "We are verifying the authenticity of the video. No formal complaint has been received yet," a senior police officer told the press on Sunday.

Uday Jadhav, Shiv Sena (UBT)’s Virar city chief, openly defended the action. “This is Maharashtra. Anyone who disrespects Marathi will face consequences — this is the Shiv Sena style. The man insulted our language and pride. We made him apologise to every Marathi-speaking citizen,” Jadhav told reporters.

This incident comes amid growing linguistic friction in Maharashtra. Just earlier this month, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) workers allegedly assaulted a street food vendor in Bhayander for not speaking Marathi. That episode sparked counter-protests from traders and culminated in a Marathi pride rally in Mira-Bhayandar on July 8, backed by the MNS, Shiv Sena (UBT), and NCP (Sharad Pawar faction).