A Marathi-speaking autorickshaw driver was allegedly assaulted by non-Marathi-speaking drivers during a protest on Mumbai's Kandivali Link Road on Monday. Police registered a case against four people over the alleged attack. The protest against Maharashtra's Marathi requirement also disrupted traffic for around 20 minutes.

Mumbai: Kandivali Link Road Traffic Hit As Auto Drivers Protest Marathi Test; VIDEO |

Mumbai: Tension erupted on Kandivali Link Road on Monday after a Marathi-speaking auto-rickshaw driver was allegedly assaulted by a group of non-Marathi-speaking drivers during a protest against the state government's Marathi language requirement for autorickshaw and taxi drivers.

#AutoDriverProtest | Auto Drivers’ Protest Over Marathi Language Requirement Triggers Traffic Snarl On Kandivali Link Road



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According to reports, the accused allegedly told the Marathi driver that they would speak Hindi and Bhojpuri but would not speak Marathi. The incident took place amid a protest in which several auto-rickshaws were reportedly parked on the road in opposition to the language requirement, disrupting traffic movement in the area.

The sudden protest caused inconvenience to commuters and motorists, with traffic on Kandivali Link Road reportedly slowing for around 20 minutes. Traffic police reached the spot and attempted to clear the congestion and restore normal movement.

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There were also allegations that some auto-rickshaw drivers carrying passengers were threatened during the protest. A video shared by Marathi news portal Zee 24 Taas shows several drivers threatening and abusing drivers carrying passengers amid protest. Police officials said a case was registered against four people in connection with the alleged assault on the Marathi-speaking auto-rickshaw driver.

The incident has triggered a political response, with the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) taking an aggressive stance against the alleged behaviour of the non-Marathi-speaking drivers.

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Meanwhile, Shashank Rao, president of the Mumbai Autorickshaw-Taximen's Union, clarified that the union had not supported the protest. The union has separately been demanding additional time for drivers to comply with the state's Marathi language requirement.

Pratap Sarnaik Warns Against Disrespecting Marathi

Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik also took a firm position on the incident, saying the government would not tolerate anyone disrespecting Marathi identity while living and conducting business in Maharashtra.

"Our government is one that provides employment, not takes it away. However, if anyone living and doing business in Maharashtra disrespects Marathi identity and behaves arrogantly, it will not be tolerated," Sarnaik said.

The minister also reiterated that autorickshaw and taxi drivers would be given one month to learn Marathi before punitive action is initiated against those who fail to meet the requirement.

The Kandivali incident comes amid a wider dispute over the implementation of the Marathi language requirement for commercial passenger vehicle drivers. RTO teams have been conducting practical Marathi assessments across Maharashtra and issuing notices to drivers found lacking adequate knowledge of the language.

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