MNS Leader Amit Thackeray Issues Violent Threat Against Hindi-Speaking Auto Drivers, Slams Government’s Policy Extension
MUMBAI: Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) leader Amit Thackeray has ignited a fresh controversy after issuing a stern and violent warning to auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers in the state. Thackeray declared that his party would take physical action against drivers who communicate in Hindi or display rude behavior toward passengers, asserting that Marathi must remain the primary language of interaction in the state.
A Threat of Violence
Speaking out against the linguistic landscape of Maharashtra’s transport sector, Thackeray issued an ultimatum to commercial drivers. “If it comes to our notice that someone is speaking in Hindi or behaving rudely, then we will beat them,” he stated. He further emphasized, “Don’t tell people that they have to speak UP’s language or that they have to speak Hindi. We will speak in Marathi.”
Political Standoff Over Language Mandate
The incendiary remarks come in the wake of the Maharashtra government’s decision to grant a one-year extension to commercial vehicle drivers to attain “functional Marathi” proficiency.
Thackeray directed sharp criticism at Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, alleging that the extension is a calculated political move aimed at appeasing voters ahead of the upcoming Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections.
“We have understood how much affection you have for the Marathi language and for our state,” Thackeray said, mocking the CM. “Now, because the UP elections are coming, you are giving a one-year extension. What kind of desperation has come upon you that we should set aside our own language?” He contrasted the situation with other regions, noting that states like Gujarat, Punjab, and those in the South maintain a staunch attachment to their native languages.
Government’s Stance and Legal Framework
The state’s requirement for drivers to learn Marathi was formalised under the Maharashtra Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Rules, 2026, which modified the 1989 regulations. The rule mandates that all commercial passenger vehicle operators, including those driving app-based cabs, must possess a working knowledge of the state language. Failure to comply could lead to a three-month suspension of driving authorization, with repeat offenses risking permanent permit cancellation.
Chief Minister Fadnavis defended the extension, explaining that it was a humanitarian concession to drivers of various ages and educational backgrounds. He noted that representatives from driver organizations had expressed support for the language mandate but requested more time to comply, citing the difficulties faced by older, less-educated workers.
Escalating Compliance Checks
The controversy follows a rigorous statewide assessment conducted on August 22 by the Maharashtra Transport Department. During this exercise, authorities tested 5,211 drivers to evaluate their Marathi proficiency. The department subsequently issued notices to 777 drivers—the vast majority (722) being from the Mumbai Metropolitan Region—ordering them to improve their language skills within a month to avoid license suspension.
As tensions rise, the MNS warning highlights the increasingly polarized discourse surrounding regional identity and linguistic requirements in Maharashtra’s public transport system.
