The Bombay High Court on Saturday closed a petition challenging Maharashtra’s requirement for taxi and auto-rickshaw drivers to have a working knowledge of Marathi after the state government agreed to give drivers an additional year to meet the language requirement.
The decision came during a hearing before a bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Ravindra Ghuge and Justice Gautam Ankhad.
The court was hearing a petition filed by four cab drivers who had sought a stay on the Maharashtra government’s Marathi language requirement. During the proceedings, Additional Government Pleader Jyoti Chavan informed the bench that the government had decided to extend the deadline for drivers to learn Marathi by one year.
Bombay HC Accepts Maharashtra Government’s Assurance
After taking note of the government’s decision, the Bombay High Court said it accepted the statement made on behalf of Maharashtra and disposed of the petition.
The extension follows Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’ decision to provide more time to taxi and auto-rickshaw drivers to learn Marathi.
The move also means drivers who have not yet acquired the required working knowledge of Marathi will get additional time before action is taken against them under the language requirement.
Four Cab Drivers Challenged Marathi Requirement
The petition was filed by Mohd Kasim Ahmad, Mohd Tauseef Shaikh, Siyad Ahamad and Sadik Nasir Ali Khan through advocate Vivek Shukla.
The petitioners challenged a Maharashtra government notification issued on August 12, arguing that the language requirement could affect their constitutional rights and livelihoods.
They contended that the state government’s decision was contrary to Article 14, which guarantees equality, Article 19, which protects the right to carry on a profession or trade, and Article 21, which protects the right to life and personal liberty.
The petitioners also questioned whether the state government had legal authority under the Motor Vehicles Act to make knowledge of Marathi a condition for obtaining or retaining a driver’s badge or permit.
Petitioners Raised Livelihood Concerns
According to the plea, a large number of taxi and auto-rickshaw drivers, particularly migrant and economically weaker workers, could face financial difficulties if their badges or permits were suspended for failing to meet the language requirement.
The petition argued that the Motor Vehicles Act does not specifically give state governments the power to prescribe knowledge of a particular language as a qualification for a driving licence, badge or permit.
The drivers therefore sought a stay on implementation of the Maharashtra government’s decision until the legal challenge was decided.
Maharashtra Had Set Earlier Deadline
The language requirement had been announced earlier by the BJP-led Maharashtra government.
In April, the state government said drivers who did not know Marathi would have to acquire basic working knowledge of the language. Marathi classes were also planned to help drivers meet the requirement.
An earlier deadline of August 15 had been set for compliance.
However, following discussions with representatives of drivers and other stakeholders, the state subsequently decided to give them another year.
With the government now extending the deadline and making the commitment before the Bombay High Court, the four petitioners’ immediate request for a stay no longer remained necessary.
The High Court consequently disposed of the petition after recording the government’s assurance.
