Marathi Mandatory for Rickshaw and Taxi Drivers in Maharashtra from May 1.

The Maharashtra government has made it mandatory for all licensed rickshaw and taxi drivers in the state to have basic knowledge of Marathi from May 1. The decision was announced by Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik, who stated that licenses of drivers who fail to demonstrate basic proficiency in Marathi may be cancelled .

The move aims to improve communication between drivers and passengers, promoting the use of Marathi in daily life. The government has received complaints about drivers being unable or unwilling to communicate with passengers in Marathi, particularly in cities like Mumbai, Nagpur, and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar .

The Motor Transport Department will conduct a special inspection drive through 59 regional and sub-regional offices in the state to verify if drivers can read and write Marathi. Drivers who fail to meet the requirement may face cancellation of their licenses .

Drivers who do not comply with the rule will have their licenses cancelled. Additionally, transport officials who issue licenses without proper checks may also face strict action .

The decision has been met with mixed reactions. While some support the move, others, including Congress MLA Nana Patole, have criticized it as a "foolish idea" that attempts to break Maharashtra based on language .