Archive · 30 Aug 2026
Marathi Group Protests One-Year Driver Language Learning Extension
The Maharashtra government gave some drivers one extra year to learn Marathi.
The drivers include auto-rickshaw, taxi and app-based cab drivers.
The Marathi Ekikaran Samiti disagrees with this decision.
Thousands of its supporters gathered in Mumbai to protest.
They also honored 107 people who died during the movement for a separate Marathi-speaking state.
The group says Marathi is closely connected to Maharashtra’s cultural identity.
Its leaders plan to ask government officials to cancel the extension.
They may also examine whether the decision can be challenged in court.
The Marathi Ekikaran Samiti demanded immediate withdrawal of a one-year extension for drivers to learn Marathi.
Thousands gathered at Mumbai’s Hutatma Chowk to honor 107 Samyukta Maharashtra movement martyrs and protest.
The extension applies to auto-rickshaw, taxi and app-based cab drivers, including Ola and Uber drivers.
Samiti president Govardhan Deshmukh said the decision hurt Marathi-speaking residents’ sentiments and Maharashtra’s identity.
The organisation plans to meet Devendra Fadnavis and Eknath Shinde and may consider legal action.
- Who
- The Marathi Ekikaran Samiti, led by president Govardhan Deshmukh, is protesting the Maharashtra government’s decision.
- What
- The organisation is demanding withdrawal of a one-year extension for auto-rickshaw, taxi and app-based cab drivers to learn Marathi.
- When
- The protest took place on Saturday; a delegation is expected to meet the chief minister and deputy chief minister within the next two days.
- Where
- The gathering was held at Hutatma Chowk in Mumbai, with participants coming from Mumbai, nearby suburbs and surrounding areas.
- Why
- The Samiti says the extension weakens Marathi-language requirements and disregards Marathi-speaking residents’ cultural and historical identity.
Marathi Ekikaran Samiti
Maharashtra Government Decision
One-year extension
Marathi Ekikaran Samiti
The Samiti says the extension is an unnecessary relaxation and wants it withdrawn immediately.
Maharashtra Government Decision
The government granted auto-rickshaw, taxi and app-based cab drivers an additional year to learn Marathi; the article does not state the government’s reason for doing so.
Language and identity
Marathi Ekikaran Samiti
The organisation says the issue affects Marathi-speaking residents and Maharashtra’s cultural and historical identity, leaving no room for compromise.
Maharashtra Government Decision
The government’s position on the cultural or historical significance of the extension is not stated in the article.
Future action
Marathi Ekikaran Samiti
The Samiti plans to submit a memorandum and may pursue legal options through democratic, constitutional and court processes.
Maharashtra Government Decision
The government has not publicly responded to the organisation’s planned memorandum or possible legal challenge in the article.
- Protesting organisation
- Marathi Ekikaran Samiti
- Extension under dispute
- One additional year to learn Marathi
- Affected drivers
- Auto-rickshaw, taxi and app-based cab drivers
- Protest location
- Hutatma Chowk, Mumbai
- Historical reference
- The 107 martyrs of the Samyukta Maharashtra movement
- Planned meetings
- A delegation is expected to meet Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde
- Possible next step
- The organisation may examine legal options if the government does not change its decision