Mumbai Auto, Taxi Drivers Strike Over Marathi Test; Commuters Face Long Waits

A section of Mumbai's autorickshaw and taxi drivers has launched a three-day strike against Maharashtra's enforcement of a Marathi language requirement, leaving commuters struggling to find transport and reigniting a debate over language, livelihoods and the city's dependence on migrant drivers.

The enforcement drive, which began on August 20, requires commercial passenger vehicle drivers to demonstrate a working knowledge of Marathi. Drivers who fail the assessment are issued notices and given time to improve their proficiency, with further action possible for continued non-compliance. The checking drive is scheduled to continue until September 30.

Autos Missing From Mumbai Roads

The impact was visible across several parts of Mumbai, particularly in suburban areas, where commuters reported long waits for autorickshaws and taxis.

Several passengers said they had waited between 40 and 50 minutes to find an auto or cab, while the strike added to transport difficulties during the monsoon season. Areas including Kandivali and other western suburbs witnessed protests, with drivers alleging harassment during the enforcement exercise.

A section of drivers also staged a road blockade in Kandivali, protesting against what they described as excessive pressure on those who were not proficient in Marathi.

‘Questions Are Out Of Syllabus’, Say Drivers

Drivers have said they are not opposed to learning Marathi but object to the manner in which the requirement is being enforced.

Several drivers alleged that Regional Transport Office (RTO) officials were asking questions beyond the material covered during government-backed Marathi training programmes.

The official assessment is based on practical situations that commercial drivers encounter during their daily work, including conversations with passengers about destinations, fares, routes, meters and CNG stops.

Expected responses include phrases such as “Mala CNG bharayche aahe. Thode thambave lagel”, meaning that the driver needs to fill CNG and will have to stop briefly, and “meter chalu kele aahe”, indicating that the meter has been started.

However, drivers have questioned what exactly qualifies as “working knowledge” and alleged that the assessment was sometimes going beyond basic day-to-day communication.

One Month To Learn Marathi

The Maharashtra Transport Department has said the objective is not to make drivers experts in Marathi but to ensure that they possess sufficient knowledge of the language to communicate with passengers.

Drivers who receive notices are being given one month to acquire the required working knowledge. Failure to comply can lead to suspension of their badges for three months, while continued refusal could invite further action.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has sought to calm the protests, saying drivers are not expected to become experts in Marathi.

He said they only needed a basic, work-related knowledge of the language and maintained that no injustice would be allowed on the basis of language.

Over 1,200 Drivers Issued Notices In First Round

The enforcement exercise has already affected a large number of commercial drivers.

Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik had said that 1,268 commercial passenger vehicle drivers were issued notices after the first day of statewide checking, following assessments of thousands of drivers. The government has maintained that the exercise is aimed at ensuring basic communication and passenger convenience.

According to figures cited by the government, Maharashtra has around 9.65 lakh licensed autorickshaw and taxi drivers, while about 1.65 lakh drivers have undergone Marathi training and received certificates.

Migrant Drivers Fear Loss Of Livelihood

For many drivers who migrated to Mumbai from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and other states, the language requirement has become a source of anxiety.

Several drivers have said they are willing to learn Marathi but argue that acquiring a new language while working long hours to meet daily financial commitments is difficult, particularly for older drivers and those with limited formal education.

Some drivers also work on contractual arrangements and do not own their vehicles, making time away from work for training an additional financial burden.

The concerns are significant in Mumbai, where taxis and autorickshaws form a crucial part of the city's transport network, particularly for first- and last-mile connectivity between homes, railway stations and workplaces.

Rule Sparks Wider Language Debate

The enforcement has also revived Mumbai's long-running debate over Marathi identity and the city's large migrant population.

The state government has argued that working knowledge of Marathi is necessary for passenger convenience and for protecting Maharashtra's linguistic and cultural identity. Drivers, however, point out that Mumbai's passengers speak several languages and that Hindi has long served as a common language across much of the city's public transport network.

The Maharashtra government has said the requirement for practical knowledge of Marathi is not entirely new and that provisions relating to the language had existed under the Maharashtra Motor Vehicles Rules, though enforcement has now become stricter.

For now, the immediate fallout is being felt on Mumbai's roads, where a combination of protests, drivers staying off the streets and monsoon disruptions has made finding an auto or taxi increasingly difficult.

As the three-day strike continues, the central question remains whether the government and transport unions can agree on a clearer definition of “working knowledge”, more time for drivers to learn Marathi and an assessment process that addresses drivers' concerns without disrupting the livelihood of thousands of commercial vehicle operators.

Gujarat Auto Drivers Demand Mandatory Gujarati As Well

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

The Gujarat Sarathi Sangh 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.