Maharashtra grants one-year grace period for drivers to learn Marathi

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has granted a one-year grace period to non-Marathi-speaking auto-rickshaw, taxi, and app-based cab drivers to acquire basic conversational Marathi. The decision follows a meeting between the Chief Minister and representatives from various driver unions, who requested more time due to the practical difficulties faced by drivers of different age groups and educational backgrounds.

Under this extension, the state government will not take punitive action against drivers for a lack of Marathi proficiency for the next year. The mandate, which applies to drivers working with aggregators like Ola, Uber, and Rapido, aims to ensure drivers can handle everyday interactions, such as asking passengers their destination or discussing fares.

The announcement comes amid significant political tension and recent enforcement drives. While some political figures, such as Shiv Sena spokesperson Sanjay Nirupam, welcomed the extension as a way to promote the language through respect rather than strictness, others have reacted more aggressively. Amit Thackeray of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) criticized the extension, linking the timing to upcoming elections and threatening consequences for drivers who continue to speak Hindi.