Mumbai: The Marathi language requirement for autorickshaw and taxi drivers has acquired a political dimension, with Mumbai BJP labour cell leader Abhijit Rane backing non-Marathi drivers and alleging that they are being unfairly targeted during language tests. He has threatened an indefinite strike in two days if the harassment continues.If there is a strike, it will impact the operations of autos, taxis and aggregator cabs across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.Rane claimed that around 26,000 north Indian drivers had undergone Marathi training and that 5,000 certificates were distributed at a recent event in Malad. He alleged that RTO officials were asking questions beyond the prescribed syllabus, which consists of 16 to 18 basic Marathi sentences meant for daily passenger interactions.According to Rane, nearly 800 drivers have received show-cause notices and may be required to undergo Marathi training again to have their names removed from a blacklist. He termed the process discriminatory and humiliating for drivers who have already completed the programme.Calling such practices unacceptable, Rane demanded that the authorities follow a transparent and uniform procedure.Rane said he has submitted a representation to the transport ministry and warned that if the alleged harassment of auto, taxi and app-based cab drivers continues for the next two days, unions may call for a strike across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR).
