Bombay HC Rejects Cab Drivers’ Plea Against Marathi Language Rule; Grants One-Year Time To Learn

New Delhi: The Bombay High Court has refused to grant a stay on Maharashtra government’s Marathi language requirement for taxi and auto-rickshaw drivers after the state informed the court that the deadline for learning the language has been extended by one year.

A bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Ravindra Ghuge and Justice Gautam Ankhad accepted the government’s statement and disposed of the petition filed by four cab drivers challenging the language mandate.

Maharashtra Government Extends Deadline for Drivers

During the hearing, Additional Government Pleader Jyoti Chavan informed the court that the government had decided to provide an additional year to auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers to gain working knowledge of Marathi.

The decision came after Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced the extension following a meeting with a delegation of drivers. The move provides relief to non-Marathi speaking drivers who were facing the possibility of action over failure to meet the earlier deadline.

Cab Drivers Challenged Marathi Language Requirement

The petition was filed by four drivers Mohd Kasim Ahmad, Mohd Tauseef Shaikh, Siyad Ahamad and Sadik Nasir Ali Khan — through advocate Vivek Shukla.

The petitioners argued that the Maharashtra government’s notification requiring drivers to have knowledge of Marathi violated their fundamental rights under Articles 14, 19 and 21 of the Constitution.

They claimed that the Motor Vehicles Act does not allow states to impose language requirements as a condition for obtaining a driving badge or permit.

Drivers Raised Concerns Over Livelihood Impact

The petitioners told the court that thousands of migrant and economically weaker drivers could face difficulties if their badges or permits were suspended due to the Marathi language requirement.

They also argued that making language knowledge mandatory could affect their ability to earn a livelihood. The plea had sought a stay on the implementation of the government order issued on August 12.

Government Had Earlier Announced Marathi Requirement

The Maharashtra government had earlier announced that non-Marathi drivers would need to learn basic Marathi. The state had planned to organise language classes for drivers and had initially set a deadline of August 15.

With the latest extension, drivers now have additional time to complete the language requirement. The Bombay High Court’s decision means the Marathi language rule will continue, but immediate action against drivers has been deferred for one year.