Archive · 28 Aug 2026
Mumbai Auto Drivers Celebrate Marathi Learning Deadline Extension
Mumbai auto-rickshaw drivers who do not speak Marathi were given one more year to learn it.
They celebrated by dancing and thanking Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
Driver groups had said the earlier deadline was difficult to meet.
They said finding teachers and completing certification caused problems.
The government says people working in Mumbai should know Marathi well enough to function.
Driver representatives said they are willing to learn the language.
Some people are questioning whether the rule could stop someone from earning a living.
A court may eventually decide that legal question.
Maharashtra granted non-Marathi auto-rickshaw drivers an additional year to learn Marathi.
Drivers celebrated in Mumbai after Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced the extension.
Driver representatives said many workers faced difficulties accessing teachers, certification and administrative processes.
BJP Dhadak Kamgar Union leader Abhijit Rane said drivers had never opposed learning Marathi.
The language requirement is facing a legal challenge over whether it could affect the right to earn a livelihood.
- Who
- The Maharashtra government, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, non-Marathi auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers, and driver representatives.
- What
- The government granted drivers an additional year to meet the Marathi language requirement.
- When
- The extension was announced on Friday; the articles do not provide a specific date.
- Where
- Mumbai and the wider Mumbai Metropolitan Region in Maharashtra.
- Why
- Driver representatives said many workers needed more time because of difficulties with language instruction, certification and administrative requirements.
Extension and language requirement supporters
Legal and livelihood critics
Extra year for compliance
Extension and language requirement supporters
Driver representatives welcomed the extension as relief and said non-Marathi drivers want to learn Marathi without immediate pressure.
Legal and livelihood critics
Critics question whether making Marathi compulsory could interfere with a person's constitutional right to earn a livelihood.
Purpose of the rule
Extension and language requirement supporters
The Maharashtra government maintains that people working in Mumbai should have functional knowledge of Marathi.
Legal and livelihood critics
Majeed Memon said a court would have to decide whether language requirements can obstruct the right to earn a living.
- Extension
- Non-Marathi auto-rickshaw drivers received an additional year to learn Marathi.
- Government position
- The Maharashtra government says people working in Mumbai should have functional knowledge of Marathi.
- Celebrations
- Drivers were shown dancing and cheering after the announcement.
- Driver concerns
- Representatives cited limited access to teachers, certification challenges and administrative difficulties.
- Estimated driver population
- Abhijit Rane said around 3.5 to 4 lakh people drive rickshaws across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, with numbers increasing because of multiple shifts.
- Legal issue
- The compulsory Marathi requirement for auto-rickshaw, taxi and app-based cab drivers is facing a legal challenge.
- Constitutional question
- Majeed Memon questioned whether a language requirement could obstruct a person's right to earn a living.