The Maharashtra government is preparing to implement a policy requiring drivers for aggregators such as Uber, Ola, and Rapido to learn Marathi, similar to existing requirements for traditional taxi and auto drivers. Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik announced this initiative after extending the deadline for taxi and auto drivers to learn the language to August 15, 2023, following concerns from union representatives. The initial deadline of May 1, 2023, had raised alarms among drivers, particularly those from the north Indian community, who may not be familiar with Marathi. The government has received assurances from union representatives that drivers are willing to learn the language. However, the policy has sparked unease within the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which has significant support among the north Indian population. The implementation of this policy aims to improve communication between drivers and riders, but it faces mixed reactions from various political factions.