Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) leader Amit Thackeray on Thursday warned auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers against misbehaving with passengers or insisting that they speak only in Hindi, saying those found troubling commuters could face retaliation.
On reported differences between the BJP and Shiv Sena over the Marathi language issue, Thackeray said the two parties should address questions about their internal disagreements themselves. “If it comes to our notice that an auto-rickshaw driver is speaking in Hindi or behaving rudely, then we will beat them. If you trouble people, you will get beaten up. Don’t tell people that they have to speak UP’s language or that they have to speak Hindi. We will speak in Marathi. Somewhere, as a Chief Minister, you should take a stand. I did not like it.
“Give them a 10-year extension.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said representatives of drivers’ organisations had sought more time, citing the varied ages and educational backgrounds of people working in the sector. Thackeray said the MNS would take action if it received complaints of auto-rickshaw drivers speaking in Hindi or behaving rudely with passengers. You understand that much,” he said. We have understood how much affection you have for the Marathi language and for our state,” he said. Questioning Fadnavis’ position, the MNS leader said, “What kind of desperation has come upon you that we should set aside our own language and our own state? Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said that representatives of drivers’ organisations had sought more time, saying that people of different ages and educational backgrounds work in the sector. Earlier reporting noted: Amit Thackeray, who is the son of MNS chief Raj Thackeray, said his party would take action if complaints were received about auto-rickshaw drivers speaking in Hindi or behaving rudely with passengers.
Thackeray’s remarks came after the Maharashtra government on Thursday gave auto-rickshaw, taxi and cab drivers one year to learn functional Marathi, according to news agency ANI. Earlier reporting noted: Amit Thackeray also targeted Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis over the decision to grant a one-year extension to learn functional Marathi linking it to UP polls Amit Thackeray also targeted Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis over the decision to grant a one-year extension to learn functional Marathi linking it to UP polls Earlier reporting noted: MNS leader’s reaction came after the Maharashtra government on Thursday gave auto-rickshaw, taxi and cab drivers one year to learn functional Marathi.
