Marathi Rule: HC Disposes of Plea by Cab Drivers as State Govt Grants One-Year Time to Learn Language
The court accepted the state’s assurance and closed the case after Maharashtra gave drivers an extra year to learn functional Marathi.
- On Saturday, the Bombay High Court disposed of a public interest litigation challenging the Maharashtra government's Marathi language mandate after the state announced a one-year extension for drivers to learn the language.
- Four drivers filed the PIL arguing the August 12 notification violated fundamental rights under Articles 14, 19, and 21 of the Constitution and exceeded authority granted by the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.
- Nearly 9.6 lakh permit and badge holders faced potential suspension or permit revocation due to the 'working knowledge' of Marathi requirement. Critics argued this threatened the livelihoods of many drivers.
- Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced on Thursday that the state government decided to provide drivers one year to learn functional Marathi, halting immediate enforcement actions such as badge suspensions.
- Acting Chief Justice Ravindra Ghuge and Justice Gautam Ankhad disposed of the petition after the Government Pleader confirmed the one-year extension, noting the petitioners' personal interest made the PIL unnecessary to entertain.
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13 Articles
The Economic Times
Marathi rule: HC disposes of plea by cab drivers as state govt grants one-year time to learn language
In a decisive move, the Bombay High Court dismissed a petition from four cab drivers, coinciding with the Maharashtra government's announcement to prolong the Marathi language learning deadline by an entire year for auto and taxi operators. This decision stemmed from a meeting with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, as the petition claimed that the initial requirement breached fundamental rights.
Bombay HC to hear plea against Marathi language for taxi drivers tomorrow, here's what PIL says
The petition alleges violation of fundamental rights under Articles 14, 19 and 21 of the Constitution. Also, the petitioners have argued that the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 does not provide for such linguistic imperative for issuance of permits or badges.
A PIL was filed in the Bombay High Court against the Marathi language requirement for auto-taxi drivers in Maharashtra, which was heard on Saturday and after the hearing, the court settled the matter.
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