1 week ago
Maharashtra Language Row Deepens Over Marathi Driver Assessments
Maharashtra is checking whether auto, taxi, and cab drivers can use Marathi in everyday situations.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said drivers do not need to become Marathi experts.
He said they should know enough Marathi to communicate while working.
Some drivers disagree with the requirement and say it is difficult, especially for older or uneducated workers.
Mumbai autorickshaw drivers held a three-day strike.
Their protest also caused traffic delays on Kandivali Link Road.
Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik said drivers should receive more time to learn Marathi.
He said licences and badges could be cancelled if drivers still fail after the extra time.
On the second day of testing, 9,233 drivers were assessed and 1,499 received notices.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said Hindi-speaking drivers need working Marathi, not expert-level proficiency.
Mumbai autorickshaw drivers began a three-day strike opposing the Marathi language requirement.
Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik proposed giving drivers additional time before taking action.
Officials tested 9,233 drivers statewide on August 21, issuing 1,499 notices.
The assessment disrupted traffic on Kandivali Link Road for about 20 minutes.
- Who
- Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik, and autorickshaw, taxi, and cab drivers.
- What
- The Maharashtra government is assessing drivers' practical Marathi proficiency, prompting protests and a three-day strike in Mumbai.
- Where
- Across Maharashtra, including Mumbai and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region; a traffic disruption occurred on Kandivali Link Road.
- When
- The reported assessments and protests took place on August 24, 2026; the statewide testing data cited is dated August 21.
- Why
- The government says drivers should have working knowledge of Marathi, while protesting drivers say the requirement is unfair and difficult to meet.
Government Position
Drivers' Position
Level of Marathi required
Government Position
The government says drivers need practical or working knowledge of Marathi, not expert-level fluency.
Drivers' Position
Drivers say some older or uneducated workers cannot suddenly learn to speak Marathi and that broken Marathi is not being accepted.
Employment and enforcement
Government Position
Pratap Sarnaik said Maharashtra welcomes people from outside the state and does not want to take away employment, but warned that licences and badges could eventually be cancelled.
Drivers' Position
Protesting drivers say authorities are not listening to them and are demanding justice over the language directive.
Time to comply
Government Position
Sarnaik proposed giving drivers additional time and avoiding immediate action against those who fail the assessment.
Drivers' Position
Drivers launched a strike and protested the requirement rather than accepting the current assessment process.
Key facts
- Statewide drivers tested
- 9,233 on the second day of the drive
- Statewide notices issued
- 1,499 drivers were found lacking practical Marathi knowledge and received notices
- Mumbai Metropolitan Region tested
- 3,942 vehicle owners and drivers
- MMR notices issued
- 722 drivers received notices
- Outside MMR tested
- 5,291 drivers were assessed
- Outside MMR notices
- 777 drivers received notices
- Strike duration
- Three days in Mumbai
- Possible enforcement
- After additional time, licences and badges may be cancelled under the rules for drivers who still fail
Quotes
Autorickshaw driver
Mumbai autorickshaw driver protesting the language requirement
“We are not trying to make our Hindi-speaking brothers experts in the Marathi language, but they should have working knowledge of the language. Efforts are being made to make them learn the language. The deadline to learn the language has been extended three times now.”
freepressjournal.in
“There is a three-day autorickshaw strike. This has been called over the Marathi language directive. Nobody is listening to us. If you ask a 60-year-old person to suddenly speak Marathi, how will they do it? We want justice.”
freepressjournal.in
Sources
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