A migrant auto-rickshaw driver in Maharashtra’s Palghar district was assaulted in full public view by supporters of the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) and Raj Thackeray’s Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) after a prior confrontation over Marathi

A video showing Shiv Sena (UBT) workers assaulting an auto-rickshaw driver in Palghar for allegedly insulting the Marathi language and icons has gone viral. The driver was forced to apologize publicly. The incident follows a similar action by MNS workers against a food stall owner for not speaking Marathi, highlighting tensions over language use in Maharashtra.

Following the preliminary report on the AI 171 incident, the India Commercial Pilots’ Association (ICPA) has strongly condemned the baseless rumors of pilot suicide. The ICPA emphasizes the rigorous screening and training pilots undergo, denouncing the insinuation as unethical and insensitive. They urge respect for the ongoing investigation and support for the crew, who acted responsibly under difficult circumstances.