15 Lakh Auto Drivers In Maharashtra To Protest From May 4 Over Marathi Rule
Statewide auto driver unions plan strike from May 4 opposing Marathi proficiency licensing requirement.
A major statewide protest by nearly 15 lakh autorickshaw and taxi drivers is set to begin in Maharashtra from May 4, following growing opposition to the state government’s decision to make Marathi reading and writing proficiency mandatory for commercial vehicle drivers. The agitation is expected to significantly impact transport services, especially in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, where around 5 lakh drivers are likely to participate.
The Mumbai Autorickshawmen’s Union has announced the protest after objecting to the new policy, which comes into effect from May 1. Under the rule, licensed auto and taxi drivers must demonstrate the ability to read and write Marathi as part of a verification drive conducted across 59 Regional Transport Offices (RTOs) in the state. Authorities have indicated that failure to meet the requirement could lead to licence cancellation.
Union leaders have stated that a memorandum will be submitted to Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik on April 28, urging the government to withdraw the decision before it is implemented. They have warned that if their demands are ignored, protests will be intensified across railway stations, bus depots, and major auto stands, continuing daily until a resolution is reached.
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Union leader Shashank Rao criticised the policy, alleging that it unfairly targets auto and traditional taxi drivers while overlooking other segments of the transport sector. He pointed out that no similar language requirement has been imposed on aggregator cab services or action taken against what unions describe as illegal bike taxi operations.
Drivers’ associations argue that many in the sector already possess basic Marathi language skills acquired during licensing and permit procedures, including police verification and domicile checks. They also claim that they are being penalised despite adhering to RTO regulations and operating under approved fare structures.
The announcement has sparked broader debate within the transport community, with unions warning that the policy could disrupt daily commuting if implemented without reconsideration. With tensions rising ahead of the enforcement date, the issue is expected to draw continued attention from both state authorities and transport workers in the coming weeks.
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