Archive · 23 Aug 2026
Maharashtra Marathi Driver Test Draws Akhilesh Yadav’s Opposition
Maharashtra is asking taxi, auto-rickshaw and app-based cab drivers to show that they know basic Marathi.
The government says this will protect Marathi language and culture.
Drivers are taking a 16-question test.
Those who do not answer well receive a month to improve.
Their badges could later be suspended if they still do not meet the requirement.
Akhilesh Yadav disagrees with the policy.
He says languages should be respected but not used to create divisions.
He also says people should be able to work in different parts of India.
The Maharashtra government says it does not want to take away anyone’s livelihood.
Akhilesh Yadav criticised Maharashtra’s requirement that taxi, auto-rickshaw and app-based cab drivers demonstrate working knowledge of Marathi.
Yadav said regional languages should be respected but not politicised or used to divide India’s linguistic unity.
He questioned whether the requirement could conflict with citizens’ constitutional right to work across the country and asked why it would not apply to foreign companies.
Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik said the policy aims to protect Marathi language, identity and culture without affecting livelihoods.
Drivers unable to pass a 16-question test receive a month’s notice, after which their badges could be suspended; the government says 1.65 lakh drivers completed earlier Marathi training.
- Who
- Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav criticised Maharashtra’s policy; Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik defended it.
- What
- Maharashtra is testing taxi, auto-rickshaw and app-based cab drivers on their working knowledge of Marathi.
- When
- The statewide campaign began on Thursday, and Yadav made his comments on Sunday.
- Where
- Maharashtra, particularly Mumbai, where a video showed North Indian auto-rickshaw drivers discussing the issue.
- Why
- The government says the requirement protects Marathi language, identity and culture; Yadav says language should not be politicised or restrict people’s ability to work.
Critics of the Marathi Requirement
Maharashtra Government
Language and national unity
Critics of the Marathi Requirement
Akhilesh Yadav said regional languages should be respected and promoted, but warned that politicising language could divide India’s linguistic and emotional unity.
Maharashtra Government
The government says requiring working Marathi helps protect Maharashtra’s language, identity and culture.
Right to work
Critics of the Marathi Requirement
Yadav questioned whether requiring people to know Marathi before working in another state could conflict with their constitutional right to pursue a profession across the country.
Maharashtra Government
The government announced the requirement for transport workers and said it did not intend to affect anyone’s livelihood.
Driver and passenger impact
Critics of the Marathi Requirement
Yadav warned that putting drivers under mental pressure could create risks for both drivers and passengers and alleged that poorer groups could be disproportionately affected.
Maharashtra Government
Officials are using training and a notice period before possible badge suspension; the government says 1.65 lakh drivers have already received Marathi training certificates.
- Test format
- A 16-question assessment of drivers’ working knowledge of Marathi.
- Affected drivers
- Taxi, auto-rickshaw and app-based cab drivers.
- Penalty process
- Drivers who do not provide satisfactory answers receive a month’s notice; their badges could then be suspended.
- Earlier training
- The government says 1.65 lakh drivers completed Marathi training and received certificates during a previous 105-day campaign.
- Government position
- The policy is intended to protect Marathi language, Maharashtra’s identity and culture, not affect livelihoods.
- Akhilesh Yadav’s criticism
- Yadav said no language should be politicised and questioned the policy’s effect on citizens’ right to work across India.