Mumbai, April 18, 2025 – A heated clash between Gujarati and Marathi residents at Borivali’s Shimpoli Gaondevi Apartment over non-vegetarian food erupted Tuesday, prompting police to file cross-complaints and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) to stage a protest Wednesday. The row, rooted in a Gujarati family’s objection to a Marathi neighbor’s fish curry odor, led to verbal spats and alleged physical scuffles, with both sides claiming assault (Hindustan Times).
The Gujarati family, led by Anil Patel, demanded a “veg-only” building rule, citing cultural sensitivities—70% of the 120 flats are Jain or Gujarati vegetarian (The Indian Express). Marathi resident Sunil More, whose cooking sparked the fight, countered, “It’s my kitchen, my right” (Times of India). Tensions peaked when Patel’s group reportedly blocked More’s door, leading to a shoving match—two women reported minor bruises (The Hindu). Borivali police registered FIRs under BNS Section 115(2) for hurt, calming both sides by Wednesday (India Today).
MNS, smelling a cause, rallied 50 workers outside, with leader Sandip Deshpande blasting “outsider” Gujaratis for imposing diets (The Economic Times). “Marathi food isn’t your call,” he shouted, waving fish fry (Business Standard). X exploded—“MNS stirring hate!” vs. “Protect Marathi culture!” (post:1). Mumbai’s 2 crore residents—40% Marathi, 20% Gujarati—often clash over food, space (Census 2011). Similar rows hit Kandivali in 2024, with 15 housing bans on non-veg (Mumbai Mirror).
Police upped patrols, but the building’s WhatsApp group buzzes with threats—10 families plan to move (NDTV). “It’s not just fish—it’s identity,” a Marathi cook told Deccan Herald. For India’s melting pot, it’s a raw nerve—can Mumbai’s diversity hold, or crack over curry?
