Mumbai Cab Drivers Challenge Marathi Language Rule

Mumbai, August 25, 2026: Four cab drivers operating through mobile-based cab aggregator platforms have approached the Bombay High Court, challenging the Maharashtra government's decision to make knowledge of Marathi compulsory for auto-rickshaw, taxi, and app-based cab drivers.

The petition, expected to be mentioned before the Acting Chief Justice on August 27, seeks urgent directions against the government's notification dated August 12. The petitioners argue that the decision violates their fundamental rights under Articles 14, 19, and 21 of the Constitution and is beyond the powers granted to the state under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.

According to the plea, the central law does not prescribe knowledge of any particular language as a qualification for obtaining a driving licence, badge, or permit. The petitioners claim that the notification could affect the livelihoods of lakhs of drivers, particularly poor and migrant workers, by exposing them to suspension of badges and cancellation of permits.

The rule makes Marathi a condition for grant and renewal of permits and allows authorities to suspend a driver's badge for up to three months and subsequently revoke it for not having working knowledge of Marathi. The petitioners have sought an immediate stay on the notification, pointing out that nearly 9.65 lakh auto-rickshaw and taxi permits and badges have been issued across Maharashtra.

Around 1.65 lakh non-Marathi-speaking drivers had attended a 105-day Marathi language campaign conducted through the Konkan Marathi Sahitya Parishad and Mumbai Marathi Sahitya Sangh. However, the petition claims that many drivers remain vulnerable to action. The petitioners have also referred to a Transport Commissioner's circular dated August 19, directing RTOs to implement the notification and deploy Vayuvega squads at auto-rickshaw stands to check drivers and issue notices.

The transport minister announced strict implementation of the rule from August 20. The petitioners have challenged the notification as creating a “new disqualification” that was never prescribed by Parliament under the Motor Vehicles Act.

The Maharashtra government's decision has sparked controversy, with many drivers protesting the rule. The petitioners argue that the decision is arbitrary and will have a significant impact on the livelihoods of drivers in the state.

The Bombay High Court is expected to hear the petition soon, and the outcome will be closely watched by drivers and transport associations across the state. The decision will have significant implications for the transport industry in Maharashtra and may set a precedent for other states to follow.

In conclusion, the petition challenging the mandatory Marathi language rule for cab drivers in Mumbai highlights the controversy surrounding the issue. The court's decision will be crucial in determining the fate of lakhs of drivers in the state and will have a significant impact on the transport industry in Maharashtra.

The petitioners' argument that the decision violates their fundamental rights and is beyond the powers granted to the state under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, raises important questions about the legality and constitutionality of the rule. The court's decision will provide clarity on the issue and will be closely watched by drivers, transport associations, and the government.