Marathi rule: Why did HC dispose of cab drivers’ plea after state grants one-year extension?

Mumbai: The Bombay High Court on Saturday disposed of a petition filed by four cab drivers challenging Maharashtra’s Marathi language requirement after the state government informed the court that it had extended the deadline for auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers to learn the language by one year.

A bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Ravindra Ghuge and Justice Gautam Ankhad accepted the state’s submission and disposed of the petition.

Additional Government Pleader Jyoti Chavan told the court that the government had decided to give auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers an additional year to acquire working knowledge of Marathi.

The decision means that drivers will not face immediate action for failing to meet the language requirement during the extended period.

Why was the petition filed?

The public interest litigation, filed through advocate Vivek Shukla, challenged the Maharashtra government’s August 12 notification making working knowledge of Marathi a requirement for commercial passenger vehicle drivers.

The four petitioners — Mohd Kasim Ahmad, Mohd Tauseef Shaikh, Siyad Ahamad and Sadik Nasir Ali Khan — argued that the requirement violated their fundamental rights under Articles 14, 19 and 21 of the Constitution.

They also contended that the rule was beyond the powers granted to the state under the Motor Vehicles Act, which does not prescribe a language requirement for driving licences.

The petitioners had sought a stay on the implementation of the Marathi requirement, arguing that lakhs of migrant and economically vulnerable drivers could face suspension of their badges or cancellation of permits, affecting their livelihoods.

Maharashtra extends deadline by one year

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced the extension on Thursday following a meeting with representatives of auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers’ organisations.

The representatives had sought more time, arguing that drivers from different age groups, particularly those who had left formal education years ago, could struggle to learn Marathi within the original deadline.

The government has agreed to provide drivers with one year to acquire basic functional Marathi. Marathi classes and study material will also be made available during this period.

The representatives, led by Haji Arfat Shaikh, supported the requirement for drivers to know basic Marathi and said they were willing to learn the language.

What triggered the controversy?

The Maharashtra government had announced in April that non-Marathi-speaking commercial passenger vehicle drivers would be required to learn basic Marathi. August 15 was initially set as the deadline.

The issue escalated on August 20, when the Transport Department began a statewide checking drive. As many as 1,268 commercial passenger vehicle drivers, mainly auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers, were issued notices for inadequate knowledge of Marathi, according to Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik.

Drivers who failed the Marathi test were initially given one month to acquire working knowledge of the language, failing which their badges could be suspended for three months.

The enforcement drive triggered concern among thousands of non-native drivers and led to protests in several places.

What do Maharashtra's amended rules say?

The Marathi requirement has been incorporated into the Maharashtra Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Rules, 2026, which amend the existing Maharashtra Motor Vehicle Rules, 1989.

Under the amended rules, working knowledge of Marathi is required for those seeking commercial driving authorisation. The provisions cover drivers of auto-rickshaws, taxis and app-based motor cabs fitted with electronic meters.

The amendments also extend the practical Marathi requirement to permit holders.

A new provision under Rule 22 lays down language requirements for authorised drivers of app-based cabs, while amendments to Rules 78 and 85 require the concerned permit holder to have practical knowledge of Marathi.

Drivers who fail to demonstrate satisfactory working knowledge of Marathi can face suspension of their driving authorisation for three months. Repeated violations can lead to permanent cancellation of permits.

Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik had said the amendments were intended to remove ambiguity surrounding the language requirement.

According to the government, practical knowledge of Marathi is necessary for drivers to communicate effectively with passengers, understand their concerns and ensure safe and convenient journeys.

The level of proficiency will be assessed by the concerned licensing authorities.

With the High Court disposing of the petition after the state’s undertaking to extend the deadline, auto-rickshaw, taxi and app-based cab drivers now have an additional year to meet the Marathi language requirement.

(PTI)