Sanjay Nirupam, a leader of the Shiv Sena party in Maharashtra, has urged the state government to reconsider its decision to mandate Marathi language exams for auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers. In a letter to Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik, Nirupam argued that enforcing such exams could harm drivers who do not speak Marathi as their mother tongue, thereby affecting their livelihoods. He emphasized that while respect for the Marathi language is important, imposing rigid requirements could create fear and insecurity among drivers. Nirupam highlighted that over 70% of Mumbai's auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers come from diverse linguistic backgrounds, including Gujarat, North India, and South India. The decision to make Marathi mandatory, effective from May 1, has sparked discontent, with trade unions threatening protests starting May 4. Nirupam's call for a more humane approach reflects the need to balance language preservation with the realities of Mumbai's multicultural workforce.