Mumbai and New York are often compared as sister cities, but one key difference stands out: in New York, speaking English is not a prerequisite for belonging. People from India, Lebanon, Palestine, Somalia, and elsewhere are recognized as New Yorkers simply by contributing to the city. In contrast, Mumbai’s political discourse, driven by parties like the Maharashtra Navniman Sena (MNS), repeatedly imposes linguistic tests of belonging, which limits the city’s cosmopolitan potential.
Despite MNS chief Raj Thackeray’s focus on Marathi Asmita (Marathi identity), the party has minimal political influence—no seats in the state assembly or Lok Sabha, and just a single BMC seat. Yet, rhetoric targeting non-Marathi speakers persists, fueling resentment and social division. Incidents over the past year, from taunting passengers mid-flight to arguing over language on local trains, highlight the disconnect between this political agenda and Mumbai’s lived reality.
Mumbai’s identity has always been layered and diverse. Shaped by centuries of migration, trade, and cultural exchange—from Koli fisherfolk and Marathas to Parsis, Gujaratis, and migrants from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala—the city thrives on integration. Scholars like Gyan Prakash and Sujata Patel note that Mumbai resists a single identity, with language and communal claims often mobilized for political gain.
Historically, both Shiv Sena and MNS have leveraged Marathi identity to rally support, targeting migrants while leaving economically powerful communities, like Gujaratis and Marwadis, largely untouched. Yet true Mumbaikars recognize that the city’s strength lies in its diversity. Protecting Marathi culture—through theatre, newspapers, festivals, and public institutions—is important, but using language as a political weapon is misplaced.
Mumbai’s real needs lie in infrastructure, housing, transport, and flood management—issues that affect everyone, regardless of language. The city belongs equally to Marathi speakers, migrant workers, and entrepreneurs from across India. Political rhetoric on language may make headlines, but for voters today in the BMC elections, it is largely irrelevant. Mumbai’s defining trait has always been its ability to absorb differences and transform them into a shared, thriving identity.
