"Injustice": Auto-Rickshaw Drivers Protest In Mumbai Over Marathi Mandate Auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers in Mumbai launched a three-day strike in the Kandivali region, parking their vehicles and staging a protest against a state mandate requiring them to demonstrate working knowledge of Marathi. The protest, which briefly disrupted traffic on the Kandivali Link Road, centered on claims that the rule is unfair and disproportionately affects older drivers who lack formal education. The Maharashtra Transport Department has enforced the policy, which mandates that drivers must prove proficiency in the state’s primary language, Marathi, to operate their vehicles. The directive, part of broader efforts to improve communication between drivers and passengers, has sparked widespread backlash. Maharashtra, home to approximately 9.65 lakh auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers, has seen 1.65 lakh drivers complete Marathi training and receive certificates, according to State Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik. Regional Transport Offices (RTOs) across the state have been conducting checks, issuing notices to drivers who fail to meet the language requirement, and granting a one-month window to learn Marathi. Failure to comply could result in the suspension of driver badges for three months, with permanent cancellation of licenses and permits for continued non-compliance. Drivers have expressed frustration over the policy, arguing that it penalizes those who have spent decades operating in the city without formal education. One protester stated, “We are trying to learn the language; I can reply in broken Marathi.#mumbai #rto #pratap_sarnaik #maharashtra_transport_department #kandivali_link_road
Maha auto, taxi drivers to be trained in Marathi: Fadnavis Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced on Friday that the state government will provide free training in Marathi for autorickshaw and taxi drivers who lack proficiency in the language. Fadnavis emphasized that while promoting Marathi is essential for the state’s cultural identity, the government will not enforce a language on anyone. Speaking at a public event in Nagpur, he stated, “The government’s role is to ensure that drivers who do not know Marathi receive training. Forcing any language is not right, but we will support them in learning the language without causing injustice.” The initiative follows a directive from Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik, who revealed that two literary organizations—the Mumbai Marathi Sahitya Sangh and the Konkan Marathi Sahitya Parishad—have agreed to collaborate on the training program. Sarnaik announced that a curriculum for functional Marathi instruction will be developed soon. The Konkan Marathi Sahitya Parishad plans to conduct in-person classes through its 72 branches, while the Mumbai Marathi Sahitya Sangh will offer online lessons led by volunteer teachers. The training will be free of charge, with the goal of improving communication between drivers and passengers. Sarnaik also outlined a statewide verification drive set to begin on May 1, Maharashtra Day, to assess drivers’ knowledge of Marathi. Drivers failing to meet the standard risk losing their licenses and badges. This measure comes after complaints from passengers in Mumbai, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, and Nagpur about drivers’ inability to communicate in Marathi. However, the plan has faced strong opposition from drivers’ unions, particularly in Mumbai.#devendra_fadnavis #pratap_sarnaik #mumbai_marathi_sahitya_sangh #konkan_marathi_sahitya_parishad #maharashtra_motor_vehicles_rules
