MNS leader Amit Thackeray has warned of action against auto-rickshaw drivers in Maharashtra who speak Hindi or behave rudely.He also questioned the state government’s decision to extend the deadline for a Marathi language requirement.“If it comes to our notice that someone (an auto-rickshaw driver) is speaking in Hindi or behaving rudely, then we will beat them. Don’t tell people that they have to speak UP’s language or that they have to speak Hindi. We will speak in Marathi,” he said.Thackeray also criticised Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis over the extension, alleging that the decision was linked to the upcoming Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections.“We have understood how much affection you (Devendra Fadnavis) have for the Marathi language and for our state. You go to Gujarat, you go to Punjab, you go to the South. Everywhere there is an attachment to one’s own language.”“Now, because the UP elections are coming, you are giving a one-year extension. What kind of desperation has come upon you that we should set aside our own language, that we should set aside our own state?”The remarks come after the Maharashtra government gave auto-rickshaw, taxi and cab drivers an additional year to learn functional Marathi.Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis announced the extension on Thursday after representatives of drivers’ organisations sought more time, citing the varied ages and educational backgrounds of those working in the sector.“Today, people from the auto drivers’ and rickshaw drivers’ organisations met with me. They first expressed their support for the idea that functional Marathi should be learned by those working in Mumbai. They all want to learn it, but along with that, they also said that people of various ages are in this profession, and many have dropped out of studies a long time ago,” Fadnavis said.The Maharashtra government had made practical knowledge of Marathi mandatory for commercial passenger vehicle drivers, including auto-rickshaw, taxi and app-based cab drivers, from August 12.The requirement was announced by Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik and formalised through the Maharashtra Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Rules, 2026, which amended the existing 1989 rules to include language requirements.Under the amended rules, drivers unable to demonstrate a working knowledge of Marathi could face suspension of their driving licence authorisation for three months. Repeat violations could result in permanent cancellation of their permits.Fadnavis said the government had considered the difficulties faced by drivers from different age groups and educational backgrounds while retaining the requirement that those working in Mumbai have a basic working knowledge of Marathi.The Maharashtra government had made practical knowledge of Marathi mandatory for commercial passenger vehicle drivers, including auto-rickshaw, taxi and app-based cab drivers, from August 12.The requirement was announced by Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik and formalised through the Maharashtra Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Rules, 2026, which introduced language requirements into the existing 1989 framework.Under the amended rules, drivers who fail to demonstrate a working knowledge of Marathi could face suspension of their driving licence authorisation for three months. Repeated violations could lead to permanent cancellation of their permits. refine reframe rephrase for the news storyThe Maharashtra government had made practical knowledge of Marathi mandatory for commercial passenger vehicle drivers, including auto-rickshaw, taxi and app-based cab drivers, from August 12.The requirement was announced by Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik and formalised through the Maharashtra Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Rules, 2026, which amended the existing 1989 rules to include language requirements.Under the amended rules, drivers unable to demonstrate a working knowledge of Marathi could face suspension of their driving licence authorisation for three months. Repeat violations could result in permanent cancellation of their permits.On August 22, the Maharashtra Transport Department conducted a statewide exercise to assess drivers’ knowledge of Marathi. A total of 5,211 drivers were tested in Mumbai and other parts of the state.Following the exercise, notices were issued to 777 drivers, directing them to acquire practical knowledge of Marathi within one month, failing which further action could have been taken, including suspension or cancellation of their driving licences.
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Of the 777 drivers identified, 722 were from the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, according to officials. reifne reframe rephraseOn August 22, the Maharashtra Transport Department conducted a statewide assessment of commercial passenger vehicle drivers’ knowledge of Marathi. A total of 5,211 drivers were tested across Mumbai and other parts of the state.Following the exercise, notices were issued to 777 drivers, asking them to acquire practical knowledge of Marathi within one month. Failure to comply could have led to further action, including suspension or cancellation of their driving licences.According to officials, 722 of the 777 drivers who received notices were from the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.
