Controversy erupted on Friday over the mandatory Marathi language proficiency requirement for licenced autorickshaw and taxi drivers in Maharashtra, effective from May 1, with the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) staging a protest against Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Nirupam for appealing to the State government to reconsider the move.

The protest intensified with MNS party functionaries allegedly pelting stones at Mr. Nirupam’s car, en route to the autorickshaw association in Mumbai’s Dahisar region to discuss their concerns. Both MNS party functionaries and Mr. Nirupam had a face-off, with MNS raising slogans.