MNS Campaign Turns Aggressive: How the Attack on Bankers Unfolded Across Maharashtra

A wave of political agitation swept through Maharashtra in early April as the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) launched a campaign targeting public sector banks for allegedly neglecting the Marathi language in customer service and signage. The movement, which began as a linguistic assertion, escalated into branch-level confrontations across multiple cities.

The Spark: Lonavala Incident on April 2

Though the agitation officially caught public attention in April, internal reports from the All Officers of Bank of Maharashtra (AOBOM) revealed that the first confrontation took place as early as April 2 in Lonavala, where MNS activists entered a Bank of Maharashtra branch, questioning the lack of Marathi in verbal interaction and display boards.

Image: MNS attack in BoM, Lonavala branch

The incident was flagged in a formal complaint by AOBOM, marking it as the first red flag in what would soon become a statewide wave.

Raj Thackeray’s Gudi Padwa Rally – March 31

The campaign picked up speed following Raj Thackeray’s fiery speech on March 31 at Shivaji Park, during the Gudi Padwa rally. The MNS chief lashed out at public sector banks, alleging that they discriminated against the Marathi language and local candidates.

Image: Raj Thackeray addressing party workers and supporters on 31st March, Gudi Padwa, where he raised the demand for 100% Marathi usage in banks.

 "Are we in Maharashtra or not? Why don't your boards and greetings reflect our language? Why are top bank posts not held by Maharashtrians?" — Raj Thackeray, Shivaji Park Rally

This speech is widely considered the triggering moment, galvanizing MNS party workers into action.

April 1 – Protests Begin in Thane and Mumbai

On April 1, led by MNS Thane District President Avinash Jadhav, activists stormed several bank branches including Bank of Maharashtra, SBI, Union Bank, and Central Bank of India. English and Hindi signage was forcibly removed, and staff were ordered to communicate in Marathi with customers.

In a viral video, MNS workers were seen confronting staff, stating: “Customers must be served in Marathi. This is our state, and this is your responsibility.”

Image: MNS workers attacking several bank branches

Bank staff described the behavior as coercive and disruptive.

April 2–4 – Statewide Spread: From Pune to Nashik

Within 48 hours, the protests had expanded to several other cities:

• Pune
• Nagpur
• Nashik
• Jalgaon
• Karjat
• Aurangabad
• Amravati
• Badlapur

Local MNS leaders and workers visited branches of:

• Bank of Maharashtra
• State Bank of India (SBI)
• Union Bank of India
• Bank of Baroda (BOB)
• Punjab National Bank (PNB)
• Central Bank of India

The message remained consistent:  "Implement Marathi in communication or face protests".

While some encounters remained verbal, in a few locations, customers and employees were caught off guard by aggressive behavior.

April 5 – Thackeray Justifies the Actions

By April 5, Raj Thackeray released a formal statement defending the actions of his party workers, calling the campaign "a fight for dignity" and denying that it was meant to incite violence or fear.

Image: MNS’s formal statement defending the campaign

“This is not against any particular language or community. It’s a reminder that in Maharashtra, Marathi must be respected. That’s all.”

Conclusion: A Linguistic Demand Becomes a Political Storm

What began as a cultural concern has now morphed into a high-voltage political episode. With growing scrutiny from unions and the media, and a rising chorus demanding action against political intimidation, the Marathi-in-banks campaign by MNS has sent shockwaves across the banking sector.