A disturbing incident on Air India flight AI676 from Kolkata to Mumbai has sparked widespread debate on linguistic intolerance in India. Content creator Mahi Khan, known as MahiNergy, shared a video in which a co-passenger allegedly threatened him for not speaking Marathi, saying, “Speak Marathi or leave Mumbai” and “I’ll show you what badtameezi is.” The confrontation quickly went viral, drawing thousands of comments condemning the behavior. The incident highlights concerns over rising regional chauvinism and public bullying. Citizens, netizens, and organizations are urging Air India and other authorities to take strict action to ensure passenger safety and respect.
Incident Overview
On October 23, 2025, Mahi Khan was traveling on Air India flight AI676 when a woman seated in 16A reportedly insisted that he speak Marathi, stating, “You are going to Mumbai, you should know Marathi.” Khan responded by saying he did not speak the language. The situation escalated when the woman allegedly threatened him, saying, “Get down at Mumbai, I’ll show you what badtameezi (misbehavior) is.”
Public Reaction and Social Media Response
Khan shared the incident on his Instagram account, urging Air India to take action against such behavior. The video quickly gained traction, with over 95,000 likes and more than 9,000 comments in less than 24 hours. Many netizens condemned the woman’s actions, emphasizing that linguistic diversity should be respected. Some users also tagged Hyundai India, as the woman was seen wearing a shirt with the Hyundai logo, questioning the company’s stance on such behavior.
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Airline and Corporate Response
As of now, neither Air India nor Hyundai India has issued an official statement regarding the incident. The lack of response has further fueled public outrage, with many calling for accountability and stricter policies to prevent such occurrences in the future.
Broader Implications
This incident is part of a concerning trend of linguistic intolerance in Maharashtra. Earlier this year, similar disputes occurred on a Mumbai local train and involving an autorickshaw driver, highlighting a growing regional chauvinism. Experts argue that such incidents threaten the spirit of India’s “Unity in Diversity” and call for greater awareness and education on linguistic tolerance.
Summing Up
The confrontation on Air India flight AI676 serves as a stark reminder of the challenges posed by linguistic intolerance in India. It underscores the need for public awareness, corporate accountability, and stricter policies to ensure that all passengers feel safe and respected, regardless of the language they speak.
