WATCH: Mumbai Auto Drivers Celebrate As Maharashtra CM Fadnavis Gives One-Year Extension To Learn Marathi

Mumbai's non-Marathi auto-rickshaw drivers broke into jubilant celebrations on Friday following the Maharashtra government's announcement to grant them an extra year to learn the language. The decision was met with cheers and gratitude from the drivers, who took to the streets to express their relief. The extension was the result of negotiations between the drivers' organizations and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who had been under pressure to resolve the issue of non-Marathi speaking drivers meeting the language requirement.

The government maintains that a functional knowledge of Marathi is essential for those working in Mumbai, but the drivers argued that many were eager to learn but faced challenges related to access to teachers, certification, and other administrative hurdles. The one-year grace period was welcomed by many, who saw it as an opportunity to improve their language skills at their own pace.

However, the decision has not been without controversy, as the Marathi language rule has faced legal challenges questioning its impact on drivers' constitutional right to earn a livelihood.