Should Know Basic Marathi, No Need To Be Expert: Devendra Fadnavis On Language Row
Mumbai autorickshaw and taxi drivers protested against rumors of heavy fines for not knowing Marathi. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis clarified that the policy requires only basic working knowledge, not expert fluency, and that no licenses have been cancelled.
Why it matters
Highlights the intersection of local language policy, labor rights, and public misinformation in urban governance.
Widespread fear amongst autorickshaw and taxi drivers over rumoured steep fines linked to a state government Marathi proficiency drive erupted into street protests in parts of Mumbai on Monday, forcing Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to step in and address the panic.During protests, some drivers tried to prevent other members from transporting passengers, inconveniencing common people in the morning hours.Some videos circulating on social media showed demonstrations being organised in suburban Kandivali, Malad (West), Santacruz, Dahisar, Andheri and a few other locations.A senior regional transport official at the Borivali RTO said they learnt that someone had spread misinformation among drivers that they would be fined Rs 5,000 to Rs 20,000 for not having working knowledge of Marathi.Seeking to allay drivers' concerns, Fadnavis said the objective behind the government drive mandating "working knowledge" of Marathi was not to make the drivers language experts, but to ensure they can communicate in the local…
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