Passenger threatened for refusing Marathi on Air India
When he asked her to stop, she threatened, “Get down in Mumbai, and I’ll show you misbehaviour.”
Passenger Threatened on Air India Flight for Not Speaking Marathi
MUMBAI: A video circulating on social media has sparked fresh debates about language sensitivities in Maharashtra. A passenger traveling on Air India Flight AI676 on Thursday, October 23, shared footage showing him being threatened by a fellow traveler for not speaking Marathi during the flight.
The passenger, identified on Instagram as Mahi Khan (@mahinergy), posted the video on the platform, drawing widespread attention and condemnation. In the video, Khan is seen confronting the woman who had demanded that he speak Marathi. Khan asks, to which the woman, who refused to reveal her identity, responds sharply, “Yes, please do.”
The interaction quickly escalated when Khan asked her not to misbehave. The woman retorted, “Get down in Mumbai and I will show you what misbehaviour is.” Passengers and flight attendants witnessed the tense exchange, as the woman continued issuing verbal threats. At one point, she is heard saying, “If you don’t know Marathi, sit back down.”
Khan shared that the confrontation unfolded in front of the flight crew, making him feel unsafe and humiliated. The incident, captured on camera, has highlighted concerns about passenger safety and civility on domestic flights.
In his post, Khan urged Air India to take strict action against passengers who threaten or intimidate fellow travelers based on language or other personal choices. “These people should be banned from flying. No passenger should ever feel unsafe or humiliated for speaking a different language,” he wrote.
The video has since gone viral, sparking a wider conversation on social media about the importance of respecting linguistic diversity and maintaining decorum in public spaces. Many users expressed solidarity with Khan, condemning the woman’s behavior and calling for stricter measures to prevent such incidents.
This episode comes amid ongoing debates in Maharashtra regarding the promotion of Marathi and the role of regional language in daily interactions. While advocates emphasize the importance of preserving and respecting the local language, incidents like these underscore the need for balance and tolerance in multicultural settings.
Experts note that air travel should be a neutral space where passengers feel safe and respected regardless of their language, religion, or background. “Every individual has the right to communicate in a language they are comfortable with. Intimidation or harassment in such contexts is unacceptable,” said a social behavior analyst.
As discussions continue online, many hope that airlines, including Air India, will take proactive steps to educate passengers about mutual respect and implement policies that discourage aggressive behavior. Meanwhile, Khan’s post serves as a reminder that public spaces, including flights, should remain safe and inclusive for everyone.