
Controversy erupted on Friday over the mandatory Marathi language requirement for licensed autorickshaw and taxi drivers in Maharashtra effective from May 1, when the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) staged a protest against Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Nirupam, who appealed to the state government to reconsider the move.
The protest intensified when MNS party functionaries allegedly pelted stones at Mr. Nirupam’s car, on his way to an autorickshaw association in Mumbai’s Dahisar area to discuss their concerns. Both the MNS functionaries and Mr. Nirupam clashed with the MNS raising slogans.
Published – 25 Apr 2026 0:25 AM IST





