Palghar: In wake of recent actions in which Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) workers forcefully removed Gujarati signboards from hotels, shops, and other commercial establishments along the Mumbai–Ahmedabad National Highway, the Deputy Labour Commissioner has taken note of the matter. A special inspection drive has been launched across the district, and so far, 65 establishments have been served immediate notices making it mandatory to display all signboards in Marathi.

Under Section 36 (A) (1) of the Maharashtra Shops and Establishments (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 2017, it is compulsory for all commercial establishments to display their nameboards in Marathi, written in the Devanagari script.

Following reports in various newspapers highlighting the absence of Marathi signboards or them being displayed in smaller fonts than Gujarati, the Deputy Labour Commissioner of Palghar directed a special inspection drive across different parts of the district. As part of this drive, notices have been issued to 65 hotels, shops, and other commercial establishments that failed to put up signboards in Marathi, instructing them to rectify this immediately.

The Deputy Labour Commissioner has warned that strict action will be taken against those hotels, shops, and establishments that do not comply with these regulations. This drive is set to continue for a few more days.

Recently, MNS workers forcibly removed the Gujarati signboards from hotels and cafes located along the Ahmedabad–Mumbai National Highway, stating that despite being in Maharashtra, these establishments were behaving as if they were in Gujarat by openly prioritizing the Gujarati script.

Similar action has been ongoing amid the Gujarati vs Marathi language tussle since the past few weeks, with the matter gaining escalation ahead of upcoming local body elections in Maharashtra. Earlier this month, MNS workers had also harassed a few traders in Mira Bhayander and other areas for not speaking in Marathi. The incident had garnered strong criticism from traders’ associations and the public.