Speak Marathi to stay in driver’s seat: Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik

Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik on Monday (April 27, 2026) said that non-Marathi speaking rickshaw and taxi drivers across the State will have to speak basic Marathi from May 1. The announcement followed a meeting with union representatives at the Mantralaya.The decision comes after a strike call issued by non-Marathi speaking drivers for May 4, which had sparked a controversy. Mr. Sarnaik said the unions have agreed to the language requirement, but have sought extensions of three months, six months, or a year.

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