Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik has issued a strong warning over the state’s Marathi language requirement for taxi and auto-rickshaw drivers, saying drivers who refuse to learn Marathi could face strict action, including permanent suspension of their driving licences.
Speaking on the issue, Sarnaik said the government was not against people coming to Maharashtra for employment. However, he stressed that those working as commercial vehicle drivers in the state would be expected to follow the language requirement.
‘No Action Against Those Who Have Learned Marathi’
Sarnaik said more than 1.65 lakh people have already learned Marathi and clarified that such drivers would not face action.“No action will be taken against more than 1,65,000 people who have learned the Marathi language,” Sarnaik said.
He indicated that the government’s focus would be on drivers who fail to comply with the language requirement.
Minister Warns Drivers Over Marathi Requirement
Sarnaik said Maharashtra welcomes people from outside the state who come to the state for work, but added that they would have to respect the state’s language requirement. “Our government wants people to come here to work. If you say you won’t learn Marathi, then it will not work,” he said.
The minister’s comments come amid an ongoing debate over the use of Marathi by taxi and auto-rickshaw drivers and the conditions attached to commercial driving licences in Maharashtra.
Licences Could Be Suspended Permanently
Sarnaik warned that drivers who do not learn Marathi could face legal action. “Legal action will be taken against those who do not know Marathi. Those who don’t learn the Marathi language will have their licenses permanently suspended,” he said.
The statement has the potential to intensify the debate over language requirements for transport workers in Maharashtra, particularly in Mumbai and the surrounding metropolitan region where drivers from different parts of the country work.
What The Government Is Saying
The minister’s position is that learning Marathi will be a requirement for those working as taxi and auto drivers, while people who comply with the requirement will not face action.
The issue is likely to remain politically sensitive as Maharashtra continues to debate the balance between employment opportunities, language requirements and the rights of workers from different parts of India.
