Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik rejects an argument that Mumbai’s cosmopolitan character makes it unnecessary for auto and taxi drivers to learn Marathi. He says the idea “bilkul nahi chalega” (“absolutely not acceptable”) in response to the claim that the city’s diversity should excuse drivers from the language requirement.
The state is pushing measures aimed at encouraging or requiring auto and taxi drivers to learn Marathi, framing this as part of broader efforts to promote the regional language in public-facing services. While the “cosmopolitan” argument presented by others suggests practicality and language expectations may differ in Mumbai due to the city’s mix of communities, Sarnaik maintains that the policy direction should not change.
Across the available reporting, the focus remains on Sarnaik’s public rebuttal and the government’s position that Marathi learning for drivers is still pursued, rather than on specific enforcement details or timelines.
