Mumbai: The Maharashtra government began enforcing the Marathi language requirement for auto and taxi drivers in Mumbai from Tuesday. Drivers who do not know Marathi will not have their licenses revoked immediately, but they will have to meet the language requirement within the stipulated time.
30-day notice first
According to Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik, drivers who lack the required Marathi knowledge will be given a 30-day notice. Failure to comply even after this could result in their driving license being suspended for three months.
If the driver still fails to meet the Marathi requirement after the suspension, their license could be permanently revoked.
Relief for 1.25 lakh drivers
Approximately 1.25 lakh auto and taxi drivers who have completed a government-run Marathi language course and obtained a certificate will not face action under this rule.
Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said that Marathi should be learned with love and respect, not out of fear or pressure. He also appealed to people not to mock those learning Marathi.
Government claims: The intention is not to target anyone
The government says that the rule is not aimed at non-Marathi speakers, but to encourage people living and working in Maharashtra to learn Marathi.
Cities like Mumbai, Thane, Navi Mumbai, and Pune have a large number of non-Marathi speakers. The transport sector also has a significant number of people from other states. According to the government, the aim of the campaign is to promote the use of Marathi in everyday life.