Mumbai, April 11 (NationPress) Opposition representatives from the NCP-SP and Samajwadi Party on Saturday condemned the Maharashtra government's directive led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to enforce the use of Marathi as a mandatory language for auto rickshaw and taxi drivers. They warned that this policy could lead to a rise in unemployment and advocated for resources to facilitate the learning of the local language.

Maharashtra's Transport Minister, Pratap Sarnaik, held a press conference on Friday, where he reiterated the government's commitment to the 'Speak Marathi, Get a Permit' initiative.

Minister Sarnaik stated, "To live and operate a business in Maharashtra, one must possess complete fluency in Marathi. This policy was not implemented during my tenure as Minister, but was initiated back in 2019. Regardless of whether one is a rickshaw driver or involved in another profession, knowledge of Marathi will be obligatory."

In a conversation with IANS, Samajwadi Party (SP) MLA Rais Shaikh emphasized that individuals from North India, particularly those from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, significantly contribute to the development and functioning of Mumbai.

He called on the state government to provide avenues for migrants, especially auto rickshaw and taxi drivers, to learn Marathi.

"I concur with what Minister Sarnaik is asserting about the necessity of knowing Marathi, but there must be support for that. I have repeatedly urged the Maharashtra government in the State Assembly to establish Marathi language courses in various locations. Licenses should be granted to auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers alongside the language training," he stated.

Shaikh further remarked, "I doubt any North Indian would refuse to learn Marathi."

He accused Minister Sarnaik of engaging in politics for electoral gain.

"The effective operation of Mumbai requires the involvement of all, including those who drive auto rickshaws and taxis," he added.

NCP-SP leader Naseem Siddiqui also voiced his discontent regarding the regulation.

He pointed out that such language mandates could create challenges for those working in the Middle East and nations with a Muslim majority.

"Many individuals from the Muslim community are not fluent in Arabic, which is the native language there. What if a requirement was imposed that one must understand Arabic to work in Saudi Arabia?" Siddiqui remarked to IANS.

"In a similar vein, if individuals from Maharashtra employed in Uttar Pradesh or Bihar are mandated to learn Awadhi or the Lucknowi dialects for employment, it would exacerbate difficulties," he continued.

He warned that such rules could result in diminished job opportunities.

"Unemployment will rise, youth will encounter challenges, and communal tensions will escalate. There will be no advantages," the NCP-SP leader expressed.

NCP-SP leader Fahad Ahmad accused Minister Sarnaik of lacking comprehension of Maharashtra.

"Minister Pratap Sarnaik does not grasp the culture of the state. Maharashtra does not segregate people; it strives to unify them. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj united the entire nation under a singular vision," he stated.

While acknowledging that everyone in the state should learn Marathi, Ahmad argued that it is unjust to "deprive a child of their meal simply because their parent is not fluent in the language."