Mumbai: Maharashtra transport minister Pratap Sarnaik has drawn a firm line for autorickshaw drivers across the state: learn practical Marathi by August 15 or risk losing licence and badge. The warning was delivered at a gathering of drivers in Mumbai late Saturday evening.
Mandate for Marathi Proficiency
Sarnaik said every driver operating a commercial passenger vehicle in Maharashtra must have a basic working knowledge of Marathi. He framed the move not as coercion, but as a matter of respect for the state's culture, identity and everyday public interaction. "If I can speak Hindi, you will have to speak Marathi while running autos in the state," he said, making it clear that the deadline would not be extended indefinitely.
Deadline and Consequences
The minister said drivers had sought three months to learn the language and the government had granted them 105 days. He urged them to enrol in Marathi classes at RTOs and other institutes, adding that failure to acquire even practical spoken Marathi by August 15 would invite prosecution from August 16.
Supportive Initiatives
At the event organised by the Hindi-speaking Navbharatiya Shiv Vahatuk Sanghatna at Rangsharda Mandir, Sarnaik praised efforts by organiser Haji Arafat Sheikh to voluntarily teach Marathi to Hindi-speaking drivers. He said the government was ready to support such initiatives and described language learning as a bridge rather than a barrier.
Importance of Communication
Sarnaik stressed that drivers are the face of Maharashtra's transport system and play a vital role in the state's economy. Since they interact directly with passengers, police, administrators and local residents, he said, their ability to communicate in Marathi would reduce misunderstandings and improve service standards.
Basic Phrases Required
He underlined that passengers should be able to converse in their own language once they board a vehicle. At the very least, he said, drivers should know simple phrases such as "Namaskar", "Kuthe jayache?" and "Kiti bhade hoil?"
Social Harmony
While welcoming migrants who work honestly in Maharashtra, Sarnaik insisted that learning Marathi was essential for smoother communication and social harmony. The message from the government is unmistakable: in Maharashtra's public transport system, practical Marathi is no longer optional.
