‘If you are in India, you must know Hindi’: Mumbai ticket checker suspended after Marathi couple was forced to speak Hindi and detained them

A recent incident in which a Central Railway ticket checker forced a Marathi-speaking couple to converse in Hindi has sparked widespread outrage and condemnation. The incident, which took place on a local train in Mumbai, led to the suspension of the ticket checker.

The couple, who were speaking in Marathi, were abruptly interrupted by the ticket checker, who insisted that they were speaking in Hindi. When the couple politely declined, the ticket inspector reportedly became aggressive and threatened to detain them.

The couple was also forced to write: “We will never demand to speak in Marathi.” This incident has sparked controversy, with members of the Marathi Ekikaran Samiti protesting at Nalasopara station.

The Western Railway spokesperson stated that the TTE has been withdrawn from service and further action will follow following a full investigation. The Vasai GRP has filed an FIR and the investigation is still ongoing.

The incident was reported on Monday, although the exact date remains unclear.

According to initial reports, a couple with a valid train ticket was pressured by a non-Marathi speaking TTE, identified as Rakesh Maurya, to speak in Hindi. He allegedly told them, “If you are in India, you must know Hindi.”

The couple was reportedly forced to write a statement promising not to communicate in Marathi. The woman had recorded the incident, but would have to delete it. According to a statement from the Marathi Ekikaran Samiti, they were held at the office for an extended period and later arrested by the RPF.

Calling the incident ‘disrespectful to the Marathi language’, the Samiti protested at the railway master’s office at Nalasopara station.

Western Railway responded saying, “We value passengers of all religions, languages ​​and regions equally, and strive to provide the best service. The matter will be investigated and appropriate action will be taken if any error is discovered.”