Sarnaik says Marathi learning must be voluntary, not forced on drivers

Mumbai, September 9 – Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik told reporters that language should never be weaponised for political gain. His statement coincided with the state’s directive that all auto‑rickshaw, taxi and app‑cab operators acquire working proficiency in Marathi, with a one‑year deadline to do so.

The minister argued that Marathi should be taught with kindness, not through intimidation, threats or physical coercion. He warned that such an approach would only frighten low‑income drivers and provoke widespread displeasure among the public, which he believes would be about 98 %.

Sarnaik highlighted that 20,000 auto‑rickshaw drivers from Borivali and Dahisar have already been honoured after completing Marathi lessons, and a second ceremony to celebrate 7,000 more drivers is scheduled for 12 September.

He remarked that he converses in Hindi when approached in Hindi and that the government can set language norms for drivers but cannot force celebrities, sportspeople or ordinary citizens to speak Marathi. “A polite request is all that is permissible,” he said.

Emphasising inclusivity, Sarnaik said his own constituency contains roughly fifty percent Hindi speakers. He pointed to the recent building of a North Indian Bhavan, a Maithili Samaj Bhavan and a Rajasthani Samaj Bhavan as evidence of the state’s commitment to all linguistic communities.

While the Marathi language issue is framed as a matter of cultural identity, Sarnaik clarified that his electoral strategy is built on development, not on courting Marathi or Hindi language voters.

Addressing a controversy stemming from a viral Dahi‑Handi video, he noted that many guests—including Sunil Shetty, Sanjay Dutt and Badshah—spoke Marathi during the event. The clip that went viral, however, focused on Dutt’s jest about not mastering Marathi despite six years in Yerwada jail. Sarnaik criticised the media for magnifying that single remark while ignoring the many positive Marathi moments.

Concluding, Sarnaik said Maharashtra’s vote bank is fragmented across parties such as Congress, BJP, Shiv Sena, UBT, MNS and RPI, and no single party commands the Marathi electorate.