After Maharashtra, Gujarat Auto Drivers Demand Mandatory Gujarati Proficiency Rules

Following Maharashtra's recent directive making Marathi mandatory for cab and commercial vehicle permit holders, transport operators in Gujarat are pressing the state government to enforce similar linguistic requirements for all public transport drivers.

The Gujarat Sarathi Sangh has formally petitioned state authorities to ensure working knowledge of Gujarati becomes a prerequisite for issuing and renewing commercial vehicle driving permits, including those for auto-rickshaws, taxis, and public buses.

Safety and Passenger Communication at the Core

Representing thousands of public transport drivers, the union argues that local language proficiency is directly tied to passenger safety and operational efficiency. Commuters—particularly women, elderly citizens, and children—frequently face communication barriers when instructing non-native drivers on routes, addresses, and fares.

Clear dialogue becomes crucial during road accidents or medical emergencies, where precise local communication can save lives. Transport representatives stress that public transport personnel interact continuously with local residents, making standard communication vital for daily municipal transit.

Practical Tests and Transition Period Proposed

Rather than implementing immediate penalties or restrictive measures against drivers hailing from other states, the union advocates a pragmatic transition strategy:

• Basic Competency Testing: Establishing simple, practical oral assessments that test standard conversational understanding rather than literary Gujarati grammar.
• Government Certification: Providing state-backed learning modules and short-term certification schemes to help non-Gujarati drivers adapt smoothly.
• Grace Period: Offering drivers without functional language skills formal notice alongside a dedicated timeline—such as a 30-day window—to meet the basic requirements before facing regulatory enforcement.
• Universal Application: Applying rules uniformly to all commercial permit seekers, preventing discrimination based on state origin or background.

Alignment with Regional Frameworks

The proposal directly references the Maharashtra government's August 12 notification, which mandated functional Marathi capabilities for motor cab drivers and permit applicants across the state. Transport bodies in Gujarat now urge their state authorities to examine the Maharashtra model and enact appropriate regulatory amendments or executive notifications.

Union leaders clarified that the movement is strictly focused on improving service standards and protecting the state's linguistic heritage, explicitly ruling out hostility toward migrant drivers. The matter now rests with the state transport department to evaluate the feasibility of introducing local language tests for commercial permit renewals.