An Airtel staff member in Mumbai recently made headlines after a video of her refusing to converse in Marathi with a customer went viral. The incident has sparked widespread debate and controversy online.
In the footage, the employee can be heard addressing a customer’s complaint with a dismissive attitude, stating, “Why should I speak in Marathi? Where does it say that I must use Marathi in Maharashtra? You should speak to me properly.”
She further emphasized, “Marathi is not significant to me. We live in Hindustan, and anyone can speak any language they want.” The customer, in the same video, claimed that the employee had ignored his concerns and raised her voice at him.
The confrontation escalated when the employee allegedly told the customer, “Why should I speak in Marathi? Have you bought Maharashtra? Are you telling me where to work? Don’t record me or I’ll call the police.”
Airtel has not yet issued an official statement regarding the incident.
The controversy drew criticism from various quarters, including BJP MLC Chitra Wagh, who expressed her disapproval on social media. Wagh condemned the employee’s behavior, saying, “Such arrogance and disrespect towards Maharashtra and the Marathi language is unacceptable. Airtel should apologize to all Marathi speakers.”
She further emphasized that anyone working in Maharashtra should be proficient in Marathi, suggesting that future recruitment should prioritize candidates fluent in the language.
This incident follows a larger ongoing debate about the importance of Marathi in public life, with the Maharashtra government recently mandating its use in government and semi-government offices.