Mumbai: Maharashtra Samajwadi Party leader and MLA Abu Asim Azmi has requested Transport Minister Pratap Sarmaik to provide relaxation to rickshaw and taxi drivers in the matter of Marathi language mandatory from May 1 and give them time to learn Marathi. In a letter, Azmi said that the new Marathi mandatory law will come into effect from May 1, 2026. This has created a wave of concern among rickshaw and taxi drivers, especially the elderly. The purpose of any law is reformative, but it should not take away anyone’s livelihood. Maharashtra is a state that provides employment to citizens across the country, and this is the real identity of our state. Many drivers who have settled here from other states have received education in their mother tongue, so we cannot deny the fact that they need time to learn Marathi. From a scientific point of view, it becomes difficult to learn a new language after the age of 45 to 50. Therefore, I demand that this rule be restricted to the youth between the ages of 18 and 45 and that experienced and senior drivers be completely exempted from it. For such drivers who are the sole breadwinners of their families, the government should appoint a special officer and give them an extension of at least two years so that their livelihood is not disrupted. Moreover, the language test format should be simplified and made online, with drivers getting at least four chances every year. It would be unfair to cancel permits just because of language. Another important point is that there is no such strictness on the use of Marathi in the corporate sector, as this sector is considered a major source of income for the state. However, we should not forget that rickshaw and taxi drivers are also an important part of the state’s economy. They serve the public from morning till late at night. When big corporate houses can get relaxation and flexibility in language regulations, why burden these low-income drivers, who toil all day in the sun and rain, with strict regulations? Justice should be equal for all. Therefore, instead of imposing regulations, the government should set up free training centers at the ward level. We should understand that if thousands of drivers become unemployed, the possibility of an increase in crime due to economic hardship in the society cannot be ruled out. According to Article 21 of the Constitution of India, every citizen has the right to live with dignity and earn his livelihood. The Supreme Court has also clarified in the Olga Telles vs. Bombay Municipal Corporation case that the right to livelihood is an integral part of the right to life. Therefore, cancelling someone’s permit just because they do not know the language would be a violation of the Supreme Court’s decision. Azmi requested Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik to consider this principle not as a mere political issue but as an educational and social campaign to maintain the inclusive tradition of Maharashtra by giving adequate time to drivers from migrant migrant states to learn Marathi and by giving appropriate concessions to senior citizens.

Mumbai: Maharashtra Samajwadi Party leader and MLA Abu Asim Azmi met the Deputy Chief Minister of the state Eknath Shinde and gave him a memorandum and demanded the completion of the project related to public interest and to take necessary steps regarding the problems and development projects of Bhiwandi. He gave details of the problems faced by the people of Bhiwandi and demanded their solution. Azmi said that the main road from Samadia Bagh to Samadia School is completely dilapidated and only potholes and mud tracks are visible on the road. More than 1,000 children are studying in Samadia School, due to which the students, their parents and passers-by are facing a lot of problems. Keeping in mind the rainy season, Azmi requested that all the work be completed before the rains to avoid mud and accidents. He said that the VP Stadium of Bhiwandi West is a big stadium for local players and senior citizens, but today it is also in a dilapidated condition. The condition of the ground is very poor, the jogging track is broken, and during the rains it becomes difficult to practice due to waterlogging. Therefore, the Sports Department should be directed to immediately provide necessary funds for the reconstruction and repair of the stadium, so that the youth can get better sports facilities. Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has assured positive steps on public interest issues.

Mumbai: Tension prevailed after a firing incident at Hilaupal in Kurla VB Nagar area of ​​Mumbai around 10 pm last night. The police have claimed to have arrested the three shooters involved in the shooting case of a gangster Baba Lipa Pawar. Baba Lipa Pawar had come here to attend a birthday party. During this time, the shooters opened fire on him. This firing is a result of personal enmity because a gangster named Bala was killed here. Baba was also involved in this murder. On this basis, his gang targeted Bala and planned to carry out the shooting incident on him. Along with the firing, Baba also stabbed Baba several times. He died after succumbing to his injuries. The police have registered a murder case in this matter and the three accused and shooters Abhijeet Jadhav, Shubham Ghadke, Dinesh Pawar have been arrested. All three of them killed Baba due to personal enmity. DCP Mahendra Pandit has confirmed this. He said that the accused have been charged with murder. The accused has been arrested and further investigation is underway. The body of the deceased has been handed over to his family after the postmortem. The police have made strict security arrangements in the area after the firing incident. Along with this, evidence has also been collected from the spot during the investigation against the accused. In addition, a forensic team had also inspected the spot. Due to the strategy of DCP Mahendra Pandit, law and order has been maintained in the area, while the police immediately took the accused into custody at night. The police are investigating the matter further. According to the police, the gangster named Baba, who was shot at, was involved in the murder of a bully and was currently on bail, so the rival gang targeted him. The police have increased surveillance in this matter so that the public does not become a victim of gang war. There is tension after this incident, but the situation is peaceful. The police have claimed to have made strict arrangements in view of the last rites so that there is no major incident.