The North News
Chandigarh, July 10
Acclaimed actor and cultural commentator Annu Kapoor has delivered a scathing indictment of what he describes as “linguistic vigilantism” in Maharashtra, accusing regional political forces of weaponising the Marathi language to incite violence, foster division, and sustain their electoral relevance.
“This is not pride — this is political desperation,” Kapoor told reporters on Thursday, referring to a wave of recent incidents in which non-Marathi-speaking citizens were harassed or assaulted in the name of regional identity. “Any individual who attacks someone for not knowing Marathi is not a patriot — they are committing treason against the Indian Constitution.”
The remarks, delivered with characteristic frankness, appear aimed squarely at Raj Thackeray’s Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) and similar parties that have long positioned themselves as defenders of Marathi identity, often through confrontational tactics. Kapoor invoked the memory of Bal Thackeray, suggesting that historical precedents do not excuse the present lawlessness.
“Whoever — Raj Thackeray or Bal Thackeray — tries to use language as a stick to beat people with, must be held accountable by law,” he said. “Justice delayed is justice denied. And when justice is denied, it creates space for unconstitutional authorities to rise — and that’s what we are witnessing.”
Kapoor, who has called Maharashtra his karmbhoomi — the land of his professional labour — stressed that learning the local language is a respectful gesture, but cannot be imposed through coercion or threat.
“If you live in a state, naturally you try to learn the language out of love and necessity. But to slap someone for not knowing it? That’s criminal,” he said. “This is not Maharashtra’s culture. This is a political virus.”
Kapoor’s comments come in the wake of viral footage showing migrants from northern India being assaulted by regional outfits for allegedly not speaking Marathi. Such violence has deepened fears of xenophobia masked as regional pride.
This is not the first time Kapoor has taken a hard line on matters of national unity and cultural sovereignty. Known for his extensive career in film and television — from Vicky Donor to Tezaab, and from Mr. India to the beloved music show Antakshari — Kapoor has also long opposed collaborations with Pakistani actors in Indian cinema.
Reacting to the backlash against Diljit Dosanjh for working with a Pakistani actress in a now-banned film, Kapoor doubled down on his earlier stance.
“I’ve said it since 2012 — we don’t need actors from Pakistan. We have oceans of talent in India,” he said. “Diljit is a talented artist, but at a time when our soldiers are dying on the border, this sends the wrong message.”
