Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik has called a meeting with auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers’ associations to implement compulsory practical Marathi language knowledge for drivers. Starting May 1, authorities will check documents and also test spoken Marathi during verification drives. Drivers who fail to comply could face action under the new rule, with enforcement beginning immediately after the rollout.
Mumbai’s street tension is rising as the Maharashtra government’s May 1 mandate requires auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers to learn Marathi. Even before the deadline, the MNS has started informal roadside Marathi classes for drivers, escalating the debate. Political leaders are divided on whether the language requirement should be strictly implemented, with concerns over enforcement and practical impact.
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