After chief minister Devendra Fadnavis in August intervened in the issue of non-Marathi auto/taxi drivers needing to learn Marathi and extended the deadline granted to them for this, it appeared like the dust had settled on the issue.
Migrant drivers from the state and the BJP’s UP leaders had opposed the scheme, and the CM acquiesced. He also warned that while the government had provided some relief, it had not abandoned the mandatory Marathi requirement. Many non-Marathi auto and taxi drivers are unable to speak Marathi despite living in the state for decades. The CM has provided a one-year extension to them; however, it should not be viewed as an opportunity to avoid learning but as extra time to prepare.
Fadnavis’ decision to grant drivers a year to learn the language was a political one driven by the upcoming assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh in early 2027. However, Sarnaik, who appears determined to enforce the regulation, on Tuesday directed the Regional Transport Office to establish 25 Marathi training centres in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), and urged auto/taxi drivers to enroll.
Auto-taxi drivers must possess a working knowledge of the local language, according to permit regulations.
Marathi Majhi Samvad Bhasha!’ campaign. We are adhering to the CM’s orders and have halted punitive measures. However, he did not indicate that the compulsory Marathi mandate would not be enforced; he merely offered a one-year reprieve for drivers to learn the language. We are facilitating this training within the next four months, and it will require the drivers to attend only four days of sessions. Our initiative aligns with the directives issued by CM Fadnavis.
However, transport minister and Shiv Sena leader Pratap Sarnaik has brought the issue back on his agenda, and on Tuesday met transport department officials to strategise the next phase of the ‘Maharashtra Majha!
