NEW DELHI: Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Friday alleged that the BJP-led Maharashtra government extended by a year the deadline for auto and taxi drivers to learn Marathi as it was “under pressure from Delhi,” referring to the BJP’s central leadership.“The Marathi proficiency initiative was not for the Marathi language but for non-Marathi people, including drivers. Delhi pressured the government to roll it back. We had been watching this move and anticipated pressure from Delhi for the rollback, which happened yesterday,” Raut told the media in Mumbai, according to PTI.The Rajya Sabha member described the decision as a “message” from the BJP to its allies, including deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, that they would have to “listen” to whoever succeeds chief minister Devendra Fadnavis.“By extending the deadline for drivers to learn the language by a year, the chief minister has shown that he is the boss. The announcement was an arrangement to remind the allies and send a message that they have to listen to the person who succeeds the incumbent CM,” Raut said, referring to speculation about a possible central government role for Fadnavis.He also addressed speculation that the rollback was linked to the crucial assembly elections in BJP-led Uttar Pradesh, which are due early next year. Uttar Pradesh accounts for a sizeable number of migrant and non-Marathi-speaking drivers settled in Maharashtra, including Mumbai.“Elections may have dictated the decision, but the issue was of Marathi language,” Raut stated.On Thursday, Fadnavis announced that autorickshaw and taxi drivers would be given one year to acquire functional knowledge of Marathi, following demands from representatives of migrant, non-native drivers.“The state government has accepted their demand and is giving them one year. No action will be taken during this period,” the chief minister said.Autorickshaw and taxi unions on Friday welcomed the decision, saying the extension removed the immediate threat to drivers’ livelihoods.
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The move came a week after the Transport Department, headed by Shiv Sena minister Pratap Sarnaik, issued notices to drivers who failed Marathi “working knowledge” tests conducted by RTO officials on the roads.The BJP-led Maharashtra government had announced in April that drivers of commercial vehicles must have functional knowledge of Marathi. It said those failing the test would be given one month to acquire working knowledge of the language, failing which their badges would be suspended for three months.
