Sena UBT Workers Protest Mumbai Mall Book Exhibition Over Lack of Marathi Books
Mumbai: A protest by workers of Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray faction) erupted at a book exhibition held inside Phoenix Palladium Mall in Lower Parel, Mumbai, after activists alleged that not a single Marathi book was available at the event. The incident, captured on video, has since circulated widely on social media.
According to a report by The Free Press Journal, the exhibition had been organised by the company Bookchor at the mall premises. The controversy began when party workers noticed that the stalls featured books in languages such as English and Hindi but did not include Marathi titles. This prompted the group to confront the organisers and question the absence of literature in the state’s primary language.
Visuals from the viral video show the activists arguing with event organisers and expressing anger over what they described as disregard for the Marathi language and culture. During the protest, some of the workers were seen pulling down or tearing paper boards placed near the stalls.
The video of the confrontation was later shared by Saamana, the official mouthpiece of the Sena (UBT) faction. In the clip, a protester can be heard stating that any book stall operating in Mumbai should ensure the availability of Marathi titles. The protestors also reportedly demanded that English and Hindi signboards be removed, warning that disrespect toward Marathi language, literature or culture would not be tolerated.
The incident triggered mixed reactions online. Some social media users supported the activists, saying that Marathi literature deserves greater representation in Maharashtra. Others criticised the manner of protest and suggested that a more constructive approach, such as requesting organisers to include Marathi books, could have been adopted.
As reported by The Free Press Journal, the episode has reignited discussion about language representation and cultural identity in public events held in Mumbai.
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