Amit Thackeray Issues Stern Warning Over Marathi Language Row; Threatens Action Against Hindi-Speaking Drivers
MUMBAI — Tensions have escalated in Maharashtra as MNS leader Amit Thackeray issued a provocative warning to auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers, stating that those who insist on speaking Hindi or behaving rudely toward passengers could face physical retaliation.
The controversy stems from the Maharashtra government’s recent decision to grant commercial passenger-vehicle drivers a one-year grace period to acquire a functional knowledge of Marathi. The move, which effectively delays the implementation of stricter language requirements, has drawn sharp criticism from the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS).
The Language Controversy
“If it comes to our notice that someone is speaking in Hindi or behaving rudely, we will beat them,” Thackeray declared during a recent public address. He dismissed the government’s grace period as a politically motivated maneuver, suggesting it was timed to appease voters ahead of upcoming elections in Uttar Pradesh.
“Don’t tell people that they have to speak the language of UP or that they have to speak Hindi. We will speak in Marathi,” Thackeray asserted, questioning the administration’s commitment to the regional language. “What kind of desperation has come upon you that we should set aside our own language, that we should set aside our own state?”
The MNS leader invoked regional pride, noting that states like Gujarat, Punjab, and those in the South maintain a strict attachment to their own languages. He questioned Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’s recent policy decisions, asking how much genuine affection the administration holds for the state’s linguistic identity.
Government’s Stance and Enforcement
The state government’s decision to pause punitive action follows a widespread assessment conducted by the Transport Department on August 22. During this drive, 5,211 drivers were tested across Mumbai and other parts of the state. Of those, 777 were issued notices to acquire practical Marathi knowledge within a month, with the vast majority—722—hailing from the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.
Under the original mandate, drivers failing to demonstrate working knowledge of Marathi faced significant penalties, including a three-month suspension of their driving authorization and the potential cancellation of their permits for repeated non-compliance.
The state government has defended the one-year extension, stating that the intention is not to alienate workers but to provide them with the necessary support. Officials confirmed that during this grace period, the department will provide commercial drivers with learning materials and structured classes to help them meet the required language standards.
Political Fallout
The MNS leader‘s aggressive rhetoric highlights a long-standing political narrative in Maharashtra regarding the protection of the Marathi language and the socio-economic impact of migrant workforces. As political temperatures rise ahead of the state assembly elections, the language issue is expected to remain a significant point of friction between regional outfits and the ruling coalition.
Security agencies and transport unions are closely monitoring the situation to ensure that such threats do not translate into street-level violence against public transport operators.
