MNS Threatens To ‘Teach Lesson’ To Those Opposing Marathi Compulsion
Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik Sarnaik has said, “From May 1, it will be mandatory for all licensed rickshaw and taxi drivers to be able to read and write Marathi.
Mumbai: Jumping into the row caused by Maharashtra Government’s decision to make knowledge of Marathi compulsory for licensed auto and taxi drivers, the Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) has said that those who are opposing it should be taught a lesson.
“If you want to work in Maharashtra, it is essential to have a complete command of the Marathi language. No union can hold Mumbai at ransom, saying that we will not speak Marathi. Those claiming that Mumbai cannot function without them should be taught a lesson,” said MNS leader Sandeep Deshpande on Friday.
“Threats are being issued Mumbai will be brought to a standstill. This is the perfect time for Marathi people to teach a lesson to these ‘Bhaiyyas’ who are issuing such threats. We must show them that they do not constitute Maharashtra, nor do they constitute Mumbai. It is the Marathi person residing here who truly embodies Mumbai and Maharashtra. No outsider ‘Bhaiyya’ can ever hold Maharashtra or Mumbai to ransom,” he added.
Deshpande pointed out that the law mandating the use of Marathi has been in effect since 2012. “Were all these ‘Bhaiyyas’ asleep all this time? Furthermore, who issued permits and licenses to these individuals when they did not even know Marathi? We have a law explicitly requiring proficiency in the local language; despite this, why did they not learn Marathi?” he asked.
The Maharashtra government has made it mandatory for all licensed auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers across the state to know Marathi from May 1, with licences of non-compliant drivers liable to be cancelled.
Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik Sarnaik has said, “From May 1, it will be mandatory for all licensed rickshaw and taxi drivers to be able to read and write Marathi. The licences of drivers who do not follow the rules will be cancelled. Also, strict action will be taken against transport officials who ignore the rules and issue licences incorrectly.”
However, the move has sparked a political storm, with the Mumbai Autorickshaw Men’s Union, along with other organizations, opposing the mandate. They have threatened to go on starting May 4.