Raj Thackeray’s party MNS starts Marathi coaching center, teaching auto and taxi drivers Marathi.

In Maharashtra, learning Marathi has been made mandatory for auto and taxi drivers who come from outside the state. The state government has also announced a Marathi test for licenses and permits. Now, Raj Thackeray, who claims to be the guardian of Marathi identity, has entered the scene. For auto and taxi drivers, Raj Thackeray has actually opened a Marathi coaching center. Located in Mira-Bhayandar, near Mumbai, this is a so-called coaching center run by MNS. There, several auto and taxi drivers sit on the ground, while in front of them, a Marathi teacher gives lessons to people from outside.

Marathi Knowledge

The teacher explains that in Marathi, “we” is called “mi,” and “you” is called “tu.” If you want to say “came,” it is said as “mi aalo.” First, information about Marathi is given, and then the auto drivers, or so-called Marathi students, are asked to repeat these words. Leaving aside their work, these poor auto drivers have to attend Marathi classes. It doesn’t end there. When the class is over, a poster is pasted on the auto of every driver who attended the coaching. It reads: “I know Marathi, I can understand Marathi.”

| Raj Thackeray’s ‘Marathi Class’ for Auto Drivers

Raj Thackeray’s party started a Marathi coaching center. Teaching Marathi to auto and taxi drivers.

— Zee News (@ZeeNews)

Why This Propaganda?

Does Raj Thackeray’s party want to gain political mileage related to Marathi identity through this poster? Or is the purpose of this poster to identify drivers who come from outside? If such posters are put up, a person walking on the street will know which auto belongs to a native of Maharashtra and which ones are driven by drivers from outside. Politics is a strange thing. The opposition MNS is encouraging a government order, while leaders associated with the government are demanding emphasis on the development of auto and taxi drivers, along with the language.

No one has any objection to the promotion and spread of the Marathi language, but a big question arises here. Has politics now been reduced to only the issue of language? Those clad in khadi who raise the issue of Marathi identity—don’t they see problems like poverty and unemployment in Maharashtra?

Even today, over 65 lakh people in Maharashtra live below the poverty line. The youth unemployment rate in the state is more than 13 percent. In the 21st century, 1 crore 64 lakh people in Maharashtra are illiterate, and more than 1 lakh children in Maharashtra are still suffering from malnutrition. There are many challenges in Maharashtra, but those who engage in vote bank politics only remember people from outside and the Marathi language.

Now, vote bank politics dominates both a person’s intentions and emotions. This is written about such political behavior. When we discriminate based on language, we not only insult words but also declare the entire heritage and culture of that person as “second-class.”