The ongoing Marathi language controversy in Maharashtra has intensified after Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) leader Amit Thackeray issued a warning to auto-rickshaw, taxi and cab drivers following the state government's decision to give them an additional year to learn functional Marathi.
The warning came shortly after Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced a one-year grace period for non-Marathi-speaking drivers. During this period, authorities will not take action against drivers solely for failing to meet the Marathi language requirement.
Amit Thackeray's Warning
Speaking amid the continuing language debate, Amit Thackeray said MNS would not tolerate auto or taxi drivers allegedly misbehaving with passengers or insisting that commuters speak Hindi. He warned that action could follow if complaints were received about drivers troubling passengers.
His comments have added a fresh political dimension to the government's decision to extend the deadline. Thackeray also questioned the need for the extension and criticised the state government's approach to implementing the Marathi requirement.
Maharashtra Gives Drivers One More Year
On Thursday, Fadnavis announced that auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers would receive one additional year to learn basic or functional Marathi. The decision followed a meeting with representatives of driver organisations, who requested more time, saying many drivers could not acquire the required language skills within the earlier deadline.
The Chief Minister said no action would be taken against drivers during the one-year period because they lacked the required Marathi proficiency. Driver organisations have also agreed to arrange Marathi classes and training programmes to help operators meet the requirement.
Marathi Rule Had Triggered Protests
The Maharashtra government had earlier introduced a requirement for auto and taxi drivers to possess basic knowledge of Marathi. The Transport Department subsequently conducted checks and issued notices to drivers who failed language assessments.
The policy had attracted criticism from sections of the driving community and political parties. A public interest litigation challenging the Marathi requirement was also reported to be headed for the Bombay High Court, with questions raised about its impact on the livelihood of non-Marathi-speaking drivers.
The government has maintained that the objective is to encourage the use of the state's official language rather than deprive drivers of their livelihoods. Fadnavis had previously said that drivers unable to speak Marathi should not fear immediate hardship and that the government would help them learn the language.
Political Row Continues
The one-year extension has temporarily eased the immediate pressure on thousands of drivers, but the political debate is far from over. MNS's latest warning suggests that the Marathi language issue will remain a contentious subject in Maharashtra.
With the government now giving drivers a year to comply, attention will turn to how Marathi training is implemented and whether the language requirement is enforced after the grace period ends
