Maharashtra Gives Auto and Taxi Drivers One Extra Year to Learn Marathi

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced on Thursday in Mumbai that auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers across the state will be granted an additional one year to learn Marathi, assuring that no punitive action will be taken against them during this period.

The decision brings significant relief to commercial drivers following statewide demonstrations and unrest triggered by a recent mandate requiring them to have basic working knowledge of the local language.

Speaking to reporters, Fadnavis explained that the state government accepted the drivers' request after recognizing that individuals from varied age groups require more time to acquire language skills.

“I met cab and auto drivers. They all agree that everyone should know Marathi, but they said people from different age groups are in this profession and it is difficult for them to learn Marathi quickly. They have prepared a plan and demanded a year for this. The state government has accepted this demand. There will be no action in the year,” Fadnavis said.

The relief measure follows directions issued earlier by Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik, who had mandated that all taxi and auto-rickshaw drivers in the state possess a working knowledge of Marathi.

Under the rules amended earlier this month, Sarnaik had warned that drivers failing to demonstrate proficiency would face disciplinary measures. The proposed enforcement included an initial one-month suspension of authorisation badges, with the possibility of eventual badge cancellation if drivers continued to fall short of the requirement after being given extra time.

The policy had sparked opposition from auto-rickshaw and taxi unions and operators across Maharashtra. Drivers staged protests against the directive, arguing that the immediate language condition and the threat of badge suspensions were unfair without sufficient time to learn.