India, July 4 -- Amid escalating Marathi language controversy in Maharashtra, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday said that hooliganism in the name of language will not be tolerated in the state.

"Having pride in the Marathi language is not wrong, but if someone engages in hooliganism in the name of language, we will not tolerate it," Fadnavis said while interacting with the media. "If anyone resorts to violence based on language, it will not be tolerated."

The chief minister's remarks came days after a group of men, wearing Raj Thackeray-led party Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) scarves, thrashed a food stall owner for not speaking Marathi in Thane's Bhayander.

"If you don't know Marathi, don't live in Maharashtra. If you don'...