Archive · 20 Aug 2026
Maharashtra Marathi Rule Sparks Cab Driver Passenger Argument
Maharashtra is making practical Marathi knowledge compulsory for taxi and autorickshaw drivers.
This rule is also supposed to apply to app-based drivers.
A video online shows a passenger and a cab driver arguing about language.
The passenger says a ride code in Marathi.
The driver asks him to say it in English and later asks him to enter it himself.
They then argue about whether the app uses English or Marathi.
The video does not reveal exactly when or where the argument happened.
The publisher also says it cannot confirm whether the video is genuine.
Maharashtra will enforce mandatory practical Marathi knowledge for autorickshaw and taxi drivers from Thursday, August 20.
A viral video shows a cab driver and passenger arguing after the passenger gave a ride OTP in Marathi.
The driver asked the passenger to speak in English and questioned whether the app was in English or Marathi.
The passenger responded that the cab was operating in Maharashtra and that the state had issued the driver’s licence.
The incident’s exact date, location, taxi app and authenticity have not been independently established.
- Who
- The Maharashtra government, Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik, an unidentified cab driver and an unidentified passenger.
- What
- The state announced mandatory practical Marathi knowledge for taxi and autorickshaw drivers, while a viral video showed a language-related argument over a ride OTP.
- When
- The rule is to be enforced from Thursday, August 20; the video’s exact date is unknown.
- Where
- The policy applies in Maharashtra; the video’s exact location is unknown.
- Why
- The argument began after the passenger gave the ride OTP in Marathi and the driver requested English.
Passenger’s Position
Driver’s Position
Language used for the OTP
Passenger’s Position
The passenger gave the four-digit ride OTP in Marathi and said he was driving in Maharashtra, where the state had issued the driver’s licence.
Driver’s Position
The driver asked the passenger to speak in English and questioned whether the app was in English or Marathi.
Handling the ride code
Passenger’s Position
The passenger expected Marathi to be acceptable while travelling in Maharashtra.
Driver’s Position
The driver kept the phone on the dashboard and asked the passenger to enter the OTP himself.
- Policy
- Practical Marathi language knowledge will be mandatory for autorickshaw and taxi drivers.
- Start date
- Thursday, August 20
- Affected drivers
- Traditional autorickshaw and taxi drivers, as well as app-based cab drivers
- Companies mentioned
- Ola, Uber and Rapido
- People in video
- An unidentified cab driver and passenger
- Verification status
- The exact date and place are unknown, and the publisher does not vouch for the video’s authenticity.