Mumbai: Municipal Survey Highlights Significant Portions Of Shops In State Violate Rule Of Mandatary Displaying Marathi Name Boards

Mumbai, 27th September 2023: In a significant development, it has come to light that around five lakh shops and establishments in Mumbai, accounting for roughly 18 to 20 percent, have failed to display Marathi name boards on their shops.

This revelation comes from a survey conducted by the municipal authorities last year. Notably, the municipal administration had initiated action against over five thousand shopkeepers who were found to be in violation of this requirement. However, this crackdown was temporarily halted when the traders’ association sought intervention from the Supreme Court.

The issue first originated in March 2022, when the state government, at the time, mandated that all shops in the state display Marathi signboards. The ‘Federation of Retail Traders’ reacted against this by filing a petition in the Bombay High Court, challenging the compulsion of Marathi boards. The Bombay High Court, however, dismissed their plea.

Subsequently, the organisation sought an extension of six months to comply with the directive, but the municipality granted only a three-month extension. Even after this extended deadline, various shopkeepers had failed to install Marathi name boards, prompting the shopkeepers’ association to approach the Supreme Court in October of the same year.

One key demand from the shopkeepers was to halt any punitive measures until the Supreme Court delivered its verdict. Their argument was based on the demand that enforcing Marathi boards and specific letter sizes amounted to a constraint on freedom of expression.

As the Bombay High Court rejected the shopkeepers’ petition, the Mumbai Municipal Corporation started preparations to take action against non-compliant shopkeepers across the city. In response to the traders’ requests, four extensions were granted to allow them to install Marathi boards. Nevertheless, a substantial number of shopkeepers remained non-compliant.

However, in a recent development following the Supreme Court’s verdict, it has been decreed that all shopkeepers must now adhere to the mandatory requirement of displaying Marathi name plates.