MNS Leader Amit Thackeray Sparks Controversy with Threat Against Hindi-Speaking Drivers
Mumbai: Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) leader Amit Thackeray, son of party chief Raj Thackeray, has ignited a fierce political firestorm after issuing a provocative warning to public transport operators. On Thursday, the MNS leader stated that his party would resort to physical violence against any auto-rickshaw or taxi driver found speaking in Hindi within the state.
The inflammatory comments came in response to a recent policy decision by the Maharashtra government, led by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, which granted commercial drivers a one-year extension to acquire functional knowledge of the Marathi language.
Political Posturing Amid Election Season
Amit Thackeray did not mince words when attacking the government’s extension, directly linking the move to the upcoming assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh. He dismissed Hindi as merely the “language of Uttar Pradesh,” arguing that the government’s decision was a desperate political maneuver designed to appease voters outside the state at the expense of Marathi cultural pride.
“If it comes to our notice that someone is speaking in Hindi or behaving rudely, then we will beat them,” Thackeray stated during his address. “Don’t tell people that they have to speak UP’s language or that they have to speak Hindi. We will speak in Marathi.”
He further questioned the administration’s commitment to the regional identity of Maharashtra, drawing comparisons to other states. “You go to Gujarat, you go to Punjab, you go to the South. Everywhere there is an attachment to one’s own language… What kind of desperation has come upon you that we should set aside our own language?”
The Government’s Stance
The controversy follows an announcement by CM Devendra Fadnavis earlier in the day, confirming that the state government has granted a 12-month reprieve to auto and taxi drivers. This move serves to stall the aggressive enforcement drive previously launched by the Transport Department—headed by Shiv Sena minister Pratap Sarnaik—which had already begun issuing notices to drivers who failed proficiency tests in Marathi.
Fadnavis noted that the decision followed a meeting with representatives of transport unions, including leader Haji Arfat Shaikh. The government explained that many drivers, particularly those from older demographics or those who left formal education years ago, required more time to adapt. To facilitate this, the state plans to organize formal Marathi classes and provide study materials for drivers to ensure they gain a functional grasp of the state’s primary language.
A Tense Atmosphere
The issue of language proficiency for commercial drivers has long been a flashpoint in Mumbai. Reports indicate that approximately 70% of the city’s auto and taxi workforce hails from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, making this a sensitive demographic issue.
The “learn Marathi” mandate was originally implemented in April, with a strict deadline set for August 15. The recent enforcement actions, which saw over 1,200 drivers issued notices for failing linguistic evaluations, had already led to scattered protests and concerns regarding public transport stability.
As the MNS leader doubles down on his hardline stance, political analysts are watching closely to see how the ruling coalition responds to such escalations, especially as the state nears its own crucial election cycles. For now, the one-year grace period remains in effect, though the rhetoric surrounding the policy continues to sharpen.
