Mumbai: Airtel Employee Refuses to Speak Marathi, Sparks Controversy

A video from an Airtel store in Charkop, Mumbai, has gone viral, showing a young employee refusing to speak Marathi despite a customer’s repeated requests. The woman questioned why she should speak in Marathi, asking, “Where is it written that I have to?” The incident has sparked a heated debate about the importance of the Marathi language in Maharashtra.

हवेत असलेल्या एअरटेलची टेल खेचण्यासाठी आम्ही @ShivSenaUBT_ शिवसैनिक आज एअरटेल मुंबई मुख्य कार्यालयात गेलो होता. मुंबईतील एअरटेल च्या कामकाजात मराठी नाही तर मुंबईत एअरटेलची गॅलेरी नाही. pic.twitter.com/B1IyHqfRk4

— Akhil Chitre अखिल चित्रे (@akhil1485) March 11, 2025

The Argument Over Language

In the video, the employee insists that people in India are free to speak any language they choose. This response angered the customer and fueled a larger discussion about respecting the local language in Maharashtra.

Thackeray Group’s Response

After the video went viral, Akhil Chitre, a leader from the Thackeray faction, visited the Airtel store. He questioned whether Airtel had a problem hiring Marathi-speaking employees and warned that the company could face backlash in Mumbai if it does not include Marathi in its operations.

Chitre demanded that 80% of Airtel’s employees in Maharashtra should be Marathi speakers and urged the company to take action against staff who refuse to speak Marathi. He also warned that if Airtel does not address the issue, the party will take steps to ensure Marathi is given the respect it deserves.