Mumbai: Facing mounting opposition from transport unions, the Maharashtra Government led by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday decided to defer its plan to make Marathi mandatory for auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers for a period of six months. However, the government clarified that the process of driver verification and related checks will continue during this interim phase.
The decision comes in the wake of widespread backlash against the directive, which was originally slated to come into force from May 1. Several driver unions had demanded an extension, arguing that the deadline was too short and impractical.
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Earlier this month, Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik had announced that all drivers operating in the state would be required to speak Marathi, with all 59 Regional Transport Offices (RTOs) instructed to conduct special enforcement drives. The move, he had said, was aimed at ensuring smoother communication between drivers and passengers, while also promoting the use of the state language.
Sarnaik had pointed out that a similar decision taken in 2019 had seen poor implementation, leading to frequent complaints from commuters who struggled to communicate with non-Marathi-speaking drivers.
The proposal, however, triggered strong reactions from auto and taxi unions, many of which threatened statewide protests. Some leaders, including Sanjay Nirupam, expressed conditional support but urged the government to allow a longer transition period of up to a year.
On the other hand, pro-Marathi voices rallied behind the move. Sanjay Raut supported its implementation within legal boundaries, while the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena led by Raj Thackeray staged protests against those opposing the policy.
In an attempt to strike a balance, the government has now opted for a temporary pause while continuing preparatory measures. Officials also indicated that special initiatives will be undertaken to help drivers learn Marathi, signalling a softer, more gradual approach to implementing the policy.
