Taxi and auto drivers in Maharashtra are distressed by the Marathi language mandate and have urged the government to extend the deadline.

Taxi and auto drivers in Maharashtra are distressed by the Marathi language mandate and have urged the government to extend the deadline.

The Maharashtra government has made it mandatory for taxi and auto drivers to possess a working knowledge of Marathi and to use the language. Failure to comply will result in the cancellation of their licenses. Drivers lacking practical speaking skills or a functional knowledge of Marathi will initially be given a one-month notice. If a driver fails to learn the language within that month, their license will be suspended for up to three months. The state government has refused to extend the deadline for learning Marathi beyond August 15… Mumbai’s taxi and auto drivers appear dissatisfied with the government over this mandatory Marathi language requirement.