Mumbai Auto Strike Day 2: Commuters Face Trouble Over Marathi Rule As Rickshaw Drivers Continue Protest

Mumbai: Commuters across Mumbai are likely to face another day of inconvenience as autorickshaw drivers continued their three-day strike on Tuesday, protesting the implementation of the state's Marathi language requirement for drivers.

On Monday, autorickshaws remained off the roads in several parts of the city, including Bandra, Kandivali, Govandi, Vakola, Kurla, Andheri and Santacruz, leaving office-goers and other commuters struggling to reach railway stations and workplaces.

The protest also affected traffic movement on Kandivali Link Road, where a group of auto-rickshaw drivers allegedly stopped their vehicles on the road in opposition to the language requirement. The disruption reportedly lasted around 20 minutes, causing congestion and inconvenience to motorists. Traffic police reached the spot and attempted to restore normal movement.

There were also allegations that some auto-rickshaw drivers carrying passengers were threatened during the protest. It was further alleged that some non-Marathi-speaking drivers blocked the road as part of the demonstration.

Auto Unions Seek Three-Month Extension

Auto and taxi unions are seeking additional time for drivers to comply with the state's Marathi language requirement. Union leaders have asked the government for a three-month extension and requested that punitive action be suspended during the transition period.

Shashank Rao, president of the Mumbai Autorickshaw-Taximen's Union, said drivers should be given adequate time to learn Marathi and complete the required process without fearing for their livelihoods. "The union has sought a three-month extension and requested the government not to take punitive action against drivers during this period," Rao said.

He said anxiety among drivers had increased following reports of action by RTO officials and uncertainty surrounding implementation. Rao clarified that the union was seeking additional time to comply with the requirement and not an exemption from learning Marathi. Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik, meanwhile, has said drivers should first be given one month to learn Marathi before any action is initiated against them.

Over 2,700 Drivers Served Notices

The enforcement drive has already begun across Maharashtra. RTO authorities issued notices to 1,268 commercial passenger vehicle drivers, mainly auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers, on August 20 for allegedly lacking adequate Marathi knowledge.

The following day, another 1,499 drivers were served notices after being found lacking practical Marathi knowledge, taking the total number of notices issued over the two days to 2,767.

Sarnaik has said the government is also encouraging drivers to learn the language. According to him, around 1,65,600 non-Marathi-speaking auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers have attended Marathi classes so far.

The unions' primary demand is now for a longer transition period and a halt to punitive action until drivers have had sufficient time to learn the language. For thousands of drivers, the ongoing dispute has become a balancing act between meeting the state's language requirement and protecting their livelihoods.

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