Maharashtra Mandates Marathi for Drivers, Sparks Debate

Maharashtra's new directive requiring taxi and auto-rickshaw drivers to communicate in Marathi has ignited controversy across political and labor lines. The move, defended by officials citing complaints from Mumbai Metropolitan Region, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, and Nagpur about drivers unable or unwilling to speak Marathi with passengers, emphasizes regional language respect.

Opposition parties have strongly criticized the decision. Maharashtra Congress president Harshvardhan Sapkal called it an extreme measure risking social divisions, while Shiv Sena (UBT) accused the government of appropriating their language promotion agenda.

Driver unions warn the policy threatens thousands of self-employed drivers holding valid permits. Union leader Shashank Rao advocates for language training support rather than punitive enforcement.

Defending the mandate, Transport official Sarnaik argued that conducting business in a region requires learning its language, balancing mother tongue pride with respect for the state's official language.