Maharashtra Auto, Cab Drivers Get 1-Year Deadline To Learn Marathi; Fadnavis Makes Announcement - News18

**Maharashtra’s new language rule for drivers**

Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis announced on Wednesday that all auto‑rickshaw and cab drivers operating in the state will be given a one‑year window, ending 30 September 2025, to attain a basic proficiency in Marathi. The directive, issued through the state transport department, mandates that drivers must present a Marathi language certificate during routine vehicle inspections or risk suspension of their operating licences. According to the transport ministry, the move aims to “enhance commuter safety, improve communication between drivers and passengers, and strengthen cultural integration” in a state where Marathi is the official language.

The announcement has sparked immediate backlash from non‑Marathi speaking drivers, many of whom rely on the city’s bustling ride‑hailing market. In Kandivali, a group of rickshaw operators staged a protest that turned violent, leading to an assault case being registered by local police. The drivers’ unions have approached the Bombay High Court, seeking a stay on the rule and arguing that the one‑year timeline is insufficient for many workers who lack the resources for language training. The BJP’s labour cell, meanwhile, has accused the state government of targeting drivers, alleging harassment and threatening a city‑wide strike across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region if the policy is enforced without concessions.

State officials say the government will facilitate the transition by partnering with language institutes, offering subsidised courses, and providing online modules that can be completed on smartphones. Transport Commissioner Sunil Patil emphasized that the requirement will apply only to new or renewed licences after the deadline, allowing existing licence holders a grace period. While the policy aligns with earlier Maharashtra language‑promotion initiatives, critics warn that it could reduce the number of available drivers, inflate fares and strain the informal transport sector unless the promised support mechanisms are swiftly rolled out.