Akhilesh Yadav Questions Maharashtra's Marathi Rule For Cab Drivers, Shiv Sena Says 'Focus On UP Polls'

News india Akhilesh Yadav Questions Maharashtra's Marathi Rule For Cab Drivers, Shiv Sena Says 'Focus On UP Polls'Last Updated:August 24, 2026, 16:16 ISTAkhilesh Yadav questioned Maharashtra's Marathi language rule for cab and auto drivers, while Minister Pratap Sarnaik hit back, accusing him of politicising the issue.Rapid ReadSummarized by AI.+Got Question about the News?Sarnaik, however, defended the Maharashtra government's decision and accused Yadav of failing to create sufficient employment opportunities during his tenure as Uttar Pradesh chief minister.Former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav has questioned the Maharashtra government’s decision to make working knowledge of Marathi mandatory for taxi and auto-rickshaw drivers, saying such a condition could undermine the constitutional right to work and do business across the country.Maharashtra Transport Minister and Shiv Sena leader Pratap Baburao Sarnaik hit back at Yadav, asking him to focus on the upcoming Uttar Pradesh elections instead of Maharashtra’s politics.Recommended StoriesAkhilesh Yadav vs Jayant Chaudhary: RLD Seats Jibe Sparks Fresh War | UP Politics Heats Up | News18Can Maharashtra Force Auto-Taxi Drivers To Learn Marathi? The Strike, Politics And Legal Battle ExplainedMumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train: Why Thane Station Will Stand 12 Metres Above The GroundMaharashtra Auto Drivers Get 1 Year To Learn Marathi Amid Language Row, Fadnavis's Big DecisionThe Maharashtra government recently amended the Maharashtra Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, to make working knowledge of Marathi mandatory for taxi and auto-rickshaw drivers in the state.Reacting to the move in a post on X, Yadav said every state’s mother tongue should be respected and promoted, but argued that language should not be politicised.“Every state’s mother tongue should be respected and promoted, but no language should be politicised. This creates distance and discord in the country’s linguistic and emotional unity," Yadav said.He questioned whether imposing a language requirement on drivers violated the constitutional right to work and conduct business anywhere in the country.हर राज्य की मातृभाषा का सम्मान और उत्थान होना चाहिए लेकिन किसी भी भाषा का राजनीतिकरण नहीं होना चाहिए। इससे देश की भाषिक-भाविक एकता में दूरी और दुराव पैदा होता है।मुंबई में भाजपा के उत्तर भारतीय नेता हैं या भ्रष्टाचार में लीन होकर ठंडे पड़े हैं।क्या इस तरह की भाषा-ज्ञान की… pic.twitter.com/ZSZtlLYoqu— Akhilesh Yadav (@yadavakhilesh) August 23, 2026Yadav also targeted BJP leaders from North India over the policy and alleged that the party’s policies put disproportionate pressure on poor and working-class people.“By imposing such a condition of language knowledge, isn’t the constitutional right to freedom of doing business across the entire country being violated for someone?" he asked.Yadav further questioned whether automobile manufacturers could be behind the move, alleging that the policy could hurt auto-rickshaw drivers while benefiting companies selling larger vehicles.“Could there be a commission racket behind this somewhere?" Yadav asked, suggesting that large car companies could be seeking to push auto-rickshaws out of the market.He also warned that forcing drivers to learn a new language under pressure could create difficulties for both drivers and passengers.Yadav said that if states began imposing mandatory knowledge of local languages on people seeking to work there, it could create divisions among Indians based on language. He listed several Indian languages and dialects while arguing that governments should “keep both their hearts and minds big".Shiv Sena ReactsSarnaik, however, defended the Maharashtra government’s decision and accused Yadav of failing to create sufficient employment opportunities during his tenure as Uttar Pradesh chief minister.“All I would like to tell Akhilesh Yadav is that he should think about Uttar Pradesh elections and not Maharashtra politics," Sarnaik said.He said Maharashtra had provided employment opportunities to people from Uttar Pradesh and other parts of North India for decades.“For the past several years, North Indian people did not get employment opportunities, due to which Maharashtra has been providing livelihood to North Indians for the last 40-50 years," Sarnaik said.Responding to Yadav’s criticism, the Maharashtra minister said the Mahayuti government was focused on creating employment rather than taking it away.“You could not generate employment during your tenure, so these people came to Maharashtra and we accepted them. We supported them like our brothers," Sarnaik said.He also urged Yadav not to turn the issue into an election topic in Uttar Pradesh.#WATCH | Mumbai: On SP chief Akhilesh Yadav’s tweet on Marathi language directive for auto, taxi and cab drivers in Maharashtra and protest by auto drivers, Maharashtra Minister Pratap Baburao Sarnaik says, “All I would like to tell Akhilesh Yadav is that he should think about… pic.twitter.com/NGU1KNafEB— ANI (@ANI) August 24, 2026Defending the language requirement, Sarnaik said the government was not seeking to deprive drivers of their livelihood but wanted them to be able to communicate with passengers in Marathi and respect the state’s language and culture.“At 180 locations in the state, we have appointed 1,600-1,800 teachers to teach Marathi," Sarnaik said.He added that drivers would be given time to learn the language and warned that those who remained unable to meet the requirement could face cancellation of their badges.“This is Maharashtra. The state knows how to provide livelihood, but it is the responsibility of every Indian to respect Maharashtra’s pride and culture," Sarnaik said.‘Marathi Rule In Maharashtra’Meanwhile, the Maharashtra government has launched Marathi-language training for non-Marathi-speaking taxi and auto-rickshaw drivers. According to the government, 1.65 lakh drivers completed the course and received certificates during a 105-day campaign.The Regional Transport Offices (RTOs) have also begun issuing notices to non-Marathi-speaking taxi and auto-rickshaw drivers who do not have sufficient working knowledge of Marathi.As part of the exercise, drivers are required to take a 16-question test based on everyday situations, including communicating with passengers about destinations, directions, fares, meters, routes and stands.The enforcement drive is scheduled to continue until September 30.News18 NewsletterHandpicked stories, in your inboxA newsletter with the best of our journalismQuick AnswersPowered byAsk News18The Marathi language rule could affect driver livelihoods, as non-compliance may lead to the suspension or revocation of driving licences. Some Shiv Sena MLAs have requested more time for drivers to learn the language, emphasising that enforcement should not threaten family livelihoods.Powered byAsk News18About the AuthorSaurabh VermaChief Sub-EditorSaurabh Verma is a Chief Sub-Editor at News18.com, specializing in Indian politics, national current affairs, and breaking global news. With years of experience tracking power shifts, election strateg...Read MoreLocation : First Published:August 24, 2026, 16:16 ISTDisclaimer: Comments reflect users’ views, not News18’s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.Loading comments...Read More