Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said Hindi-speaking auto-rickshaw, taxi, and cab drivers do not need to be fluent in Marathi [1].
The clarification follows protests in Mumbai where a shortage of drivers disrupted commutes across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region [3]. The government is attempting to balance the promotion of the regional language with the practical needs of a diverse workforce to prevent further service interruptions.
Fadnavis said drivers only need a working knowledge of the language to communicate with passengers [2]. He said that the Mahayuti government will not allow language-based injustice [1].
To provide more time for compliance, the deadline to learn Marathi has been extended three times [1]. Fadnavis said that no immediate penalties will be imposed on drivers who are still learning the language [3].
While some reports indicated that fear of penalties led to a significant number of drivers staying off the road [3], the chief minister said that drivers only need basic work-related Marathi [3].
"Drivers do not need to be fluent in Marathi but should know enough Marathi to communicate with passengers," Fadnavis said [2].
“"The Mahayuti government will not allow language-based injustice."”
This move represents a strategic retreat by the Maharashtra government to stabilize urban transport in Mumbai. By lowering the bar from fluency to basic communication, the administration aims to quell labor unrest among migrant drivers while maintaining the symbolic requirement of regional language proficiency.
