Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav has criticised Maharashtra’s move to assess taxi, auto-rickshaw and app-based cab drivers on their knowledge of Marathi, arguing that the promotion of a regional language should not become a source of division.
Yadav raised the issue in a post on X on Sunday while sharing a video showing North Indian auto-rickshaw drivers in Mumbai describing the difficulties they allegedly faced after being asked to demonstrate their Marathi language skills.
The former Uttar Pradesh chief minister said regional languages deserved respect, but warned against using language as a political tool.
“Every state’s mother tongue should be respected and promoted, but no language should be politicised,” Yadav said.
He argued that policies requiring workers to prove their knowledge of a particular state’s language could raise questions about the freedom of citizens to seek employment anywhere in India.
Yadav also questioned the rationale behind targeting local transport workers with such a requirement while foreign companies operate in Mumbai without facing a similar condition.
The SP chief further accused the BJP of pursuing policies that, according to him, could place a greater burden on economically weaker sections. He questioned whether commercial interests could be linked to attempts to restrict the operation of auto-rickshaws and other public transport services.
He also raised concerns about the impact of pressure on drivers, saying that forcing them to work under mental stress could potentially affect both drivers and passengers.
Why Is Maharashtra Conducting Marathi Tests For Drivers?
Yadav’s remarks came after Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik announced a statewide initiative to assess the Marathi language skills of taxi, auto-rickshaw and app-based cab drivers.
As part of the campaign, Regional Transport Office teams are conducting a 16-question test to check drivers’ working knowledge of Marathi.
Drivers who fail to demonstrate satisfactory knowledge are reportedly being given one month to meet the requirement. Those who remain unable to comply could subsequently face suspension of their badges.
The Maharashtra government has maintained that the initiative is not intended to take away anyone’s livelihood. According to Sarnaik, the objective is to encourage the use and preservation of Marathi while ensuring that drivers operating in the state can communicate effectively with passengers.
The minister has also said that around 1.65 lakh drivers had previously completed Marathi training and received certificates during an earlier 105-day programme.
The latest controversy has once again brought the politically sensitive issue of language and employment in Maharashtra into focus, with Yadav’s comments adding a wider constitutional and political dimension to the debate.
