1 week ago
Mumbai Auto, Taxi Protests Over Marathi Fine Rumours
Some auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers in Mumbai became worried about a new Marathi-language rule.
Rumours said drivers could immediately be fined thousands of rupees if they did not know enough Marathi.
Groups of drivers then protested in several western suburbs.
Some protesters reportedly stopped other vehicles and made passengers get out.
Police dispersed a road blockade in Kandivali.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said drivers only need simple Marathi for communicating during work.
Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik said drivers must first receive one month to learn the language.
He said their licence and badge could be suspended afterward, with three more months to improve.
Officials said no licence had been cancelled, while the situation reportedly became normal later in the day.
Rumours of Rs 5,000–20,000 fines for inadequate Marathi knowledge triggered protests by auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers.
Demonstrations and a road blockade were reported in Kandivali, Malad, Santacruz, Dahisar, Andheri and other western suburbs.
Some groups allegedly stopped operating vehicles, forced passengers to deboard and tried to damage vehicles.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said drivers need only basic, work-related Marathi and that no licence or badge had been revoked.
Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik said drivers must receive one month to learn Marathi before suspension or cancellation proceedings.
- Who
- Mumbai auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers, state officials, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik were involved.
- What
- Rumours about steep Marathi-related fines triggered protests, road blockades and passenger-service disruptions.
- Where
- Protests were reported in Mumbai suburbs including Kandivali, Malad (West), Santacruz, Dahisar and Andheri; the notices covered Maharashtra.
- When
- The protests occurred on Monday, August 25; RTO notices were issued on August 20 and August 21.
- Why
- Some drivers feared losing their livelihoods because they could not communicate adequately in Marathi and believed immediate fines were being imposed.
Government and transport authorities
Drivers and union concerns
Purpose of the requirement
Government and transport authorities
The government says drivers need only basic, work-related Marathi to communicate with passengers, not expert-level language skills.
Drivers and union concerns
Drivers who cannot communicate in Marathi feared the requirement could threaten their livelihoods.
Timing of penalties
Government and transport authorities
Pratap Sarnaik said officials must give drivers a one-month notice before taking action and warned against imposing fines prematurely.
Drivers and union concerns
Sanjay Nirupam alleged that fines as high as Rs 25,000 had already been imposed without the required notice.
Nature of the disruption
Government and transport authorities
Union representatives said no major union had called a strike, and police dispersed demonstrations that disrupted passenger services.
Drivers and union concerns
Independent groups of drivers protested because of panic over the rumoured fines and allegedly stopped other drivers from carrying passengers.
Key facts
- Rumoured fines
- Drivers were reportedly told they could face fines of Rs 5,000 to Rs 20,000; Sanjay Nirupam alleged some fines reached Rs 25,000.
- Language requirement
- The government requires auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers to have working, basic Marathi for communication during work.
- Notice period
- Drivers lacking the required knowledge must receive one month to learn Marathi before licence-related action.
- Enforcement process
- After the first month, a licence and badge may be suspended, followed by three additional months to learn Marathi; continued non-compliance can lead to cancellation.
- Notices issued
- RTOs issued notices to 1,268 commercial passenger-vehicle drivers on August 20 and 1,499 non-Marathi-speaking drivers across Maharashtra the next day.
- Marathi classes
- Pratap Sarnaik said 1,65,600 non-Marathi auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers had attended Marathi classes.
- Official position
- Devendra Fadnavis said no licence or badge had been revoked and drivers were not expected to become Marathi experts.
Quotes
Auto-rickshaw and taxi union leader
An unnamed union leader describing the protests and denying an official strike call
“There is no reason for our Hindi-speaking brothers who work as taxi or auto drivers here to become experts in Marathi. They only need to know enough Marathi to carry out their work. There is no reason to make them experts in Marathi. They should know work-related, basic Marathi.”
wionews.com
rediff.com
“All these people are ours, have mingled well with our culture. This is just an effort to teach Marathi to those who cannot speak the language at all. No injustice has been done to anyone, nor will our government let any injustice happen.”
wionews.com
Sources
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