'Marathi Only' Rule: Maharashtra Mandates State-Language Social Messages On Commercial Vehicles From Gudi Padwa

Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik has directed the state transport department to ensure that all social messages displayed on commercial vehicles registered in Maharashtra must be in Marathi. The directive will come into effect from Gudi Padwa, which marks the beginning of the Marathi New Year.

Minister Sarnaik emphasised that Marathi is the official language of Maharashtra and is spoken by the majority of its citizens. He also pointed out that, under the efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Marathi has been recognized as a classical language. Given this recognition, he stated that it is the moral responsibility of the state government to preserve and promote Marathi in every possible way.

Currently, many commercial vehicles in Maharashtra display social messages, advertisements, and awareness campaigns in Hindi or other languages. For example, slogans like "Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao" are commonly seen on public transport and goods carriers. However, Sarnaik stressed that such messages should be displayed in Marathi to ensure wider reach and cultural preservation. Going forward, these messages will appear in Marathi, such as "Mulgi Vachva, Mulgi Shikva."

To ensure smooth implementation, the Transport Minister has instructed the Transport Commissioner to enforce the new rule across all commercial vehicles registered in Maharashtra. "This move is expected to enhance the visibility of the Marathi language in public spaces and reinforce its significance in daily communication" said an official of state transport department adding that with Gudi Padwa as the launch date, this initiative aligns with Maharashtra’s commitment to honoring its linguistic heritage while ensuring effective communication with its people in their native language.