Archive · 25 Aug 2026
Mira Road Rickshaw Protest Escalates Over Marathi Language Rule
Some autorickshaw drivers in Mira Road are protesting a rule about speaking Marathi with passengers.
The Maharashtra Transport Department says drivers should know Marathi and communicate in it.
The drivers say they need more time to learn the language.
They have asked for another six to seven months.
Some drivers parked their rickshaws on the road, which reportedly caused traffic problems.
Officials fined about 25 drivers around ₹7,000 in total.
The RTO also warned drivers not to behave rudely or force passengers out.
Officials said permits could be cancelled if drivers break the rules.
Some Mira Road autorickshaw drivers protested after being asked to demonstrate Marathi proficiency.
The drivers are seeking an additional six to seven months to learn Marathi.
The protest reportedly disrupted traffic when some rickshaws were parked on the road.
The Mira-Bhayandar RTO fined around 25 drivers a total of approximately ₹7,000.
Officials warned of strict action and possible permit cancellations for rule violations or passenger mistreatment.
- Who
- Autorickshaw drivers in Mira Road and officials from the Maharashtra Transport Department and Mira-Bhayandar Regional Transport Department.
- What
- A protest over the requirement that autorickshaw drivers know and use Marathi with passengers led to fines and warnings from the RTO.
- When
- The articles do not specify the date of the protest or enforcement action.
- Where
- Mira Road, in the Mira-Bhayandar area of Maharashtra.
- Why
- Drivers are seeking additional time to learn Marathi, while authorities are enforcing the stated language and passenger-service requirements.
Rickshaw Drivers' Position
Transport Authorities' Position
Time to learn Marathi
Rickshaw Drivers' Position
Drivers are demanding an additional six to seven months to learn Marathi and meet the proficiency requirement.
Transport Authorities' Position
The Maharashtra Transport Department says autorickshaw drivers must know Marathi and be able to communicate with passengers in the language.
Response to the protest
Rickshaw Drivers' Position
Some drivers protested after being given a deadline to demonstrate Marathi proficiency.
Transport Authorities' Position
The RTO fined around 25 drivers after the protest reportedly caused traffic disruption by blocking the road with rickshaws.
Passenger conduct and permits
Rickshaw Drivers' Position
The article reports that some protesting drivers were accused of behaving rudely with passengers, but does not provide their response to those accusations.
Transport Authorities' Position
Officials warned of strict action against drivers who misbehave with passengers, force them to get off, or otherwise violate rules, including possible permit cancellation.
- Location
- Mira Road, Mira-Bhayandar, Maharashtra
- Issue
- Marathi language proficiency among autorickshaw drivers
- Drivers' demand
- An additional six to seven months to learn Marathi
- Drivers fined
- Around 25
- Total fines
- Approximately ₹7,000
- Enforcement warning
- Possible permit cancellation for drivers who violate rules or mistreat passengers
- Traffic impact
- Some rickshaws were reportedly parked on the road, disrupting traffic