Vaishali, July 5 -- Reacting to a viral video from Maharashtra's Thane district showing a shop owner being assaulted allegedly for not speaking in Marathi, Union Minister Chirag Paswan strongly condemned the incident.

Speaking to reporters in Vaishali on Friday, Bihar, Paswan said, "It is beyond my understanding how many divisions will be created among Indians -- sometimes in the name of region, sometimes language, religion, or caste."

While advocating for pride in one's mother tongue, the minister urged for sensitivity and mutual respect.

"I support the idea that your mother tongue should be your pride, but there needs to be enough sensitivity that if someone from outside does not understand it, it does not mean we become so intoleran...