Maharashtra Marathi language rule for cab drivers challenged in Bombay HC

The Maharashtra government’s order mandating working knowledge of the Marathi language for auto rickshaw, taxi and app-based cab drivers in the state is facing a legal challenge, with four cab drivers operating on mobile ride-hailing aggregator apps moving the Bombay High Court against the order.

Drivers challenge Marathi language rule

According to the petition, filed through advocate Vivek Shukla, the state government order is in violation of the petitioners’ fundamental rights (right to equality), 19 (freedom to carry on trade and profession) and 21 (right to life) of the Constitution. It further states that the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 does not mandate knowing any particular language for driving licences.

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"The parent Act (Motor Vehicles Act) confers no power upon the State Government to prescribe working knowledge of any language as a qualification for a driver, as a condition of a badge, or as a condition of a permit, and confers no power to suspend or revoke a badge on such a ground. The impugned notification manufactures a new disqualification and a new ground of suspension and revocation which the Parliament never enacted,” stated the pleas as quoted by the Bar and Bench.

Plea flags impact on migrants

Expressing reservation against the language rule, which was notified through a government notification dated August 12, the plea stated that if the rule is implemented, lakhs of migrant drivers will face suspension of badges and cancellation of permits.

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It also seeks immediate stay on the government order to prevent jeopardising the livelihood of nearly 9.65 lakh drivers across.

"The scale of the notification is enormous. As stated by the Hon'ble Transport Minister himself in the press, about 9,65,000 rickshaw and taxi permits and badges have been issued in the State so far. As per the Government's own statements, about 1,65,000 non-Marathi speaking drivers attended the 105-day "Hinduhridaysamrat Balasaheb Thackeray Marathi Language Campaign" conducted through the Konkan Marathi Sahitya Parishad and the Mumbai Marathi Sahitya Sangh. Lakhs of drivers remain exposed to notices, suspension and cancellation," stated the plea.