Nagpur: Amid the ongoing outrage over the Dombivli incident—where two women, including one carrying a baby, were allegedly assaulted for not speaking Marathi instead saying “Excuse me!”—a city-based influencer has become the latest target of hate and threats in the name of language politics.
Ruchika Asatkar, a popular content creator from Nagpur with over 280,000 followers on Instagram, has been subjected to rape, acid attack, and murder threats following a recent reel shared on social media. The reel, filmed shortly after she moved to Mumbai a few months ago, narrates her initial struggles in the city and includes a heartwarming interaction with an auto-rickshaw driver who told her, “Mumbai may make you cry in the beginning, but eventually, it gives you everything so you never have to cry again.”
The video, delivered in Hindi, was widely appreciated for its emotional resonance. However, a section of users criticised Ruchika for not speaking Marathi despite being a Maharashtrian. In response, she politely clarified in a comment that she preferred using Hindi to reach a broader audience. Unfortunately, her statement was taken out of context, sparking a wave of hate and personal attacks across platforms.
Soon after, Ruchika began receiving disturbing threats, including those of rape, acid attacks, and murder. Deeply shaken by the harassment, she is now left questioning what went wrong.
Speaking to Nagpur News, Ruchika said, “Being a Nagpurian and a Maharashtrian, I often speak Hindi with friends and family. This isn’t unique to me—many people from my hometown do the same. I’m Marathi, but I choose Hindi while creating content to connect better with my audience, especially those who follow my travel and food videos.”
Ruchika’s experience has reignited debate on language identity and inclusivity, particularly in cities like Nagpur—the second capital of Maharashtra—where a blend of Hindi and Marathi is commonly spoken due to its geographical and cultural diversity.
It’s ironic that languages, meant to bridge communication, are now being used to spread hate. This article is written by a Marathi-speaking writer who, like many others in Nagpur, is using English—not to demean any language, but simply to convey a message. Languages are tools for expression, not weapons of division.
