Linguistics over licences in Maharashtra

Maharashtra's Transport Department has introduced a policy requiring taxi and auto drivers in Mumbai to be proficient in reading, writing, and speaking Marathi to obtain or renew their licenses. This initiative, announced by Minister Pratap Baburao Sarnaik, aims to address complaints from Marathi-speaking passengers regarding communication barriers. Regional Transport Offices (RTOs) are conducting free four-day Marathi courses, with attendance linked to processing license applications. The policy has sparked political debate and mixed reactions among drivers and commuters, highlighting broader anxieties about language, identity, migration, and regionalism in Mumbai.