Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik said that auto and taxi drivers who refuse to learn Marathi could face legal action and permanent license suspension.
The measure aims to ensure public service drivers can communicate effectively with Marathi-speaking passengers in cities like Mumbai and Thane. The government views language proficiency as an essential component of providing public transportation services.
Sarnaik said that drivers who do not comply with the language requirement could face permanent suspension of their licenses [2]. The enforcement of this rule follows a period of transition for drivers operating within the state.
However, the minister noted that a significant portion of the workforce has already met the requirement. "No action will be taken against more than 165,000 people who have learned the Marathi language," Sarnaik said [1].
Despite the mandate, reports indicate that the rule has coincided with a rise in service disputes. Some data suggests that over 60% of complaints involving ride refusals occurred after the language rule was announced [3].
Local authorities are monitoring the situation in Thane and Mumbai to ensure that the mandate does not lead to further disruptions in commuter transport. The government maintains that the requirement is necessary for the integration of public services with the local population.
“Drivers who do not comply with the language requirement could face permanent suspension of their licenses.”
This policy reflects a broader effort by the Maharashtra government to prioritize regional language proficiency in public-facing roles. While the state views this as a way to improve accessibility for local speakers, the spike in ride refusals suggests a friction point between regulatory mandates and the practical operations of the transport sector.
