Language has become a major talking point in Maharashtra, with several videos showing people confronting cab and auto-rickshaw drivers over their lack of Marathi knowledge. Now, Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis has given drivers one year to learn the language. Read on to know more.
Maharashtra CM Gives Drivers 1 Year To Learn Marathi
Amid the Marathi language controversy, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has given auto and cab drivers a full year to learn Marathi. As per News18, the government will not take any action against them during this period. The decision came after officials met drivers and heard their concerns about the language requirement.
Fadnavis said the drivers agreed that knowing Marathi is important. However, they also explained that drivers come from different age groups and backgrounds, making it difficult for everyone to learn the language quickly. So, they asked the government for one year to gain a working knowledge of Marathi.
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Drivers Having No Knowledge Of Marathi Could Face Suspension
News18 reported that the deadline to learn Marathi came days after, Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik had said that drivers without working knowledge of Marathi could face suspension of their authorisation badges.
Earlier, the rules were quite strict. If a driver could not show working knowledge of Marathi, their badge could be suspended for one month. They would then get another three months to learn the language. If they still failed to meet the requirement, their badge could be cancelled.
The minister had also said that drivers who still failed to learn Marathi after four months would be seen as showing little interest in the language and not embracing a Marathi identity. The controversy has also reached the Bombay High Court. The four cab drivers have filed a PIL against the requirement for auto-rickshaw, taxi and app-based cab drivers to have working knowledge of Marathi.
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Cover Image Courtesy: Flickr/Adam Cohn
FAQs
In how much time auto rickshaw and cab drivers should learn Marathi?
In 1 year, auto rickshaw and cab drivers should learn Marathi in Maharashtra.
Why government gave 1 year to learn Marathi in Maharashtra for drivers?
The government gave drivers one year after they said learning Marathi quickly would be difficult due to their different age groups and backgrounds.
What will happen if drivers in Maharashtra don't know Marathi?
Under the earlier rules, drivers could face suspension of their authorisation badges, followed by cancellation.
