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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.

The 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, 2026

Yadav 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".

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.

“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, 2026

Defending 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.

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.

The 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.

Maharashtra's formal, test-based approach to making Marathi mandatory for cab drivers could set a precedent if it is rolled out statewide.

Maharashtra Minister Pratap Sarnaik suggested that Akhilesh Yadav should focus on the upcoming Uttar Pradesh elections instead of Maharashtra's politics.