Mumbai, September 9 (Daily Kiran) : Maharashtra’s Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik stated on September 9 that language politics should be avoided in the state. His comments come in light of the government’s recent mandate requiring all auto-rickshaw, taxi, and app-based cab drivers to have a working knowledge of Marathi. The government has also provided a one-year grace period for drivers to learn the language.
In an exclusive interview, Sarnaik stressed that the Marathi language should be taught with love, not through coercion or violence. He warned that using intimidation or force would only alienate the poor and upset a significant portion of the population. “We should cherish and respect the Marathi identity and culture. No one has the right to impose their language on others, and we firmly oppose such methods,” he said.
Sarnaik highlighted recent efforts to encourage language learning, noting that 20,000 auto-rickshaw drivers in Borivali and Dahisar were honored for learning Marathi. An additional ceremony is set for September 12 to recognize another 7,000 drivers.
He emphasized the importance of mutual respect among communities, stating, “In my constituency, nearly 50% of the people speak Hindi. I maintain the same relationship with them as I do with Marathi speakers.” Despite being a Marathi leader, he mentioned the establishment of community centers for Hindi and other language speakers.
The minister clarified that the push for Marathi is not merely about language but also about state identity and culture. However, he noted that he does not campaign for votes based on language but rather on development issues.
Sarnaik also addressed a recent controversy regarding a viral video from a “Dahi-Handi” event in Mumbai, where actor Sanjay Dutt was asked to speak in Marathi. Dutt humorously remarked that he had spent six years in Yerwada Jail and still hadn’t learned Marathi. Sarnaik expressed disappointment that the focus was on Dutt’s comment rather than the positive interactions during the event, where several celebrities engaged with the Marathi language.
He concluded that the narrative should celebrate efforts to promote Marathi rather than highlight moments of misunderstanding.
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