5 days ago
PIL Challenges Maharashtra Marathi Requirement For Cab Drivers
Maharashtra introduced a rule requiring cab drivers and permit holders to have working knowledge of Marathi.
An advocate has asked the Bombay High Court to review this rule.
He says the government has not explained how Marathi knowledge will be measured.
He also says there is no common test or syllabus.
The rule could eventually lead to a driver’s authorization being suspended or canceled.
The petition says this could hurt drivers who depend on driving for their income.
The advocate says he is not opposing Marathi, but objects to making it a condition for keeping a job.
Four app-based cab drivers have filed a separate challenge against the same decision.
A PIL before the Bombay High Court challenges Maharashtra’s Marathi-language requirement for motor-cab drivers and permit holders.
The requirement was introduced through the Maharashtra Motor Vehicles (Third Amendment) Rules, 2026, notified on August 12.
The petitioner says the rules lack a defined proficiency standard, uniform test and syllabus.
The petition argues that suspension or cancellation for non-compliance could threaten economically vulnerable drivers’ livelihoods.
Four app-based cab drivers filed a separate challenge on August 25, citing constitutional and legal grounds.
- Who
- Advocate Ghanshyam Upadhyay filed the PIL; four app-based cab drivers filed a separate challenge. The Maharashtra government introduced the rule.
- What
- The petitions challenge a Marathi-language requirement for motor-cab drivers, permit holders and permit renewals.
- Where
- The challenges were filed before the Bombay High Court in Mumbai.
- When
- The rules were notified on August 12, 2026; the PIL was reported on August 28, and the separate cab-driver challenge was filed on August 25.
- Why
- The petitioners argue that the requirement is undefined, potentially harms livelihoods, and may exceed constitutional and statutory limits.
Petitioners’ challenge
State language requirement
Occupational eligibility
Petitioners’ challenge
The petitioners argue that making Marathi proficiency a condition for driving and permit renewal can restrict livelihoods and violate Articles 14, 19(1)(g) and 21 of the Constitution.
State language requirement
The Maharashtra government has made working knowledge of Marathi a condition for authorization to drive motor cabs, holding permits and renewing permits.
How proficiency is measured
Petitioners’ challenge
The PIL says the requirement is undefined and provides no objective proficiency standard, uniform test or syllabus; it seeks a minimal standard with multilingual alternatives.
State language requirement
The amended rules introduce the Marathi condition, but the article does not state what testing or proficiency framework the government will use.
Legal authority and procedure
Petitioners’ challenge
The petition questions whether the government followed mandatory previous-publication procedures under Section 212 of the Motor Vehicles Act and relies on a 2017 Bombay High Court ruling involving a Marathi condition for auto-rickshaw permits.
State language requirement
The petition acknowledges that the 2026 amendment was introduced to address the statutory issue identified by the 2017 judgment.
Key facts
- Court
- Bombay High Court
- State
- Maharashtra
- Relevant rules
- Maharashtra Motor Vehicles (Third Amendment) Rules, 2026
- Notification date
- August 12, 2026
- Petitioner
- Advocate Ghanshyam Upadhyay
- Potential consequence
- Continued non-compliance could lead to suspension and eventually cancellation of authorization.
- Separate challenge
- Four app-based cab drivers approached the High Court on August 25, 2026.
Quotes
Ghanshyam Upadhyay
Advocate and petitioner who filed the public interest litigation
“The vice lies in converting linguistic promotion into an occupational disability for a selected class of citizens.”
freepressjournal.in
Sources
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