Mumbai: Despite opposition from several parties, the Mahayuti government has decided to press ahead with its directive making Marathi compulsory for all licensed cab and rickshaw drivers from May 1, observed as Maharashtra Day.
Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik said a statewide inspection drive will be carried out through Regional Transport Offices (RTOs) to verify compliance, including whether drivers can speak, read and write Marathi.
In a statement on Tuesday, he warned that drivers lacking basic knowledge of the language risk losing their licences. “From May 1, coinciding with Maharashtra Day, it will be mandatory for all licensed rickshaw and taxi drivers to know Marathi.
A statewide inspection will be conducted through 59 regional and subregional offices of the Motor Transport Department to check compliance,” he said.
Sarnaik added that while the requirement to know the local language for licence issuance already exists, it has been widely flouted. RTOs have received multiple complaints— particularly from the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar and Nagpur—about drivers being unable or unwilling to communicate in Marathi.
Sarnaik said it is the responsibility of those working in a state to learn its language, stressing that respect for the state language is as important as pride in one’s mother tongue. He also warned that transport department officials found to have overlooked language requirements will also face strict action.
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