Bombay High Court Disposes of Cab Drivers’ Plea Challenging Marathi Language Requirement After Government Grants One-Year Extension
Mumbai, 29th August 2026: The Bombay High Court has disposed of a petition filed by cab drivers challenging the Maharashtra government’s requirement for auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers to learn Marathi, after the state informed the court that drivers would be given an additional year to acquire basic knowledge of the language.
During a hearing on Saturday, the Maharashtra government’s Additional Government Pleader Jyoti Chavan informed a division bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Ravindra Ghuge and Justice Gautam Ankhad that the state had decided to grant auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers one year to learn Marathi.
Following the government’s submission, the court disposed of the petition challenging the language requirement.
The petition had been filed by four cab drivers Mohammad Qasim Ahmed, Mohammad Tausif Sheikh, Siyad Ahmed and Sadiq Nasir Ali Khan through advocate Vivek Shukla. The petitioners had sought a stay on a government notification issued on August 12, which made practical knowledge of Marathi mandatory for drivers.
The petitioners argued that the language requirement violated their fundamental rights under Articles 14, 19 and 21 of the Constitution. They contended that making knowledge of a particular language compulsory affected their right to equality, freedom to practise a profession and livelihood.
They also argued that the Motor Vehicles Act does not prescribe knowledge of any specific language as a mandatory qualification for obtaining a driving licence or other transport-related permits.
The petition further raised concerns that strict implementation of the rule could affect thousands of economically weaker and migrant drivers, who feared suspension of their badges or cancellation of licences if they failed to meet the Marathi language requirement.
Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik had earlier announced that non-Marathi-speaking auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers would be required to learn basic Marathi. Marathi language classes were also initiated, with an initial deadline reportedly set for August 15.
However, following discussions with a delegation, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced a one-year extension for drivers to learn the language. The extension has provided immediate relief to non-Marathi-speaking drivers who had expressed concerns over possible action against their licences and badges.
With the state government extending the deadline by a year, the High Court found no immediate reason to continue hearing the challenge and disposed of the petition.
The development comes amid an ongoing debate in Maharashtra over the implementation of Marathi language requirements in public-facing professions. While the state has emphasised the importance of learning the regional language, the one-year extension gives taxi and auto-rickshaw drivers additional time to comply with the requirement without the immediate threat of punitive action.
