Mumbai Auto Strike Continues Over Marathi Rule as Unions Seek More Time
Commuters across Mumbai faced widespread disruptions as autorickshaw drivers continued their three-day strike on Tuesday to protest the enforcement of the state's Marathi language requirement. Vehicles remained off the roads in several areas, including Bandra, Kandivali, Govandi, Vakola, Kurla, Andheri, and Santacruz, leaving office-goers and commuters struggling to reach railway stations and workplaces.
The protest led to traffic snarls on Kandivali Link Road, where a group of autorickshaw drivers stopped their vehicles on the road in opposition to the language rule. The blockade lasted approximately 20 minutes before traffic police arrived at the spot to restore vehicular movement. Allegations were also made that some drivers carrying passengers were threatened and that non-Marathi-speaking drivers blocked roads during the demonstrations.
Auto and taxi unions have approached the government demanding a three-month extension for drivers to comply with the language mandate, alongside a suspension of punitive actions during the transition window. Shashank Rao, president of the Mumbai Autorickshaw-Taximen's Union, clarified that drivers are not seeking an exemption from learning Marathi, but need adequate time without fearing for their livelihoods. Rao noted that anxiety among drivers increased following enforcement actions by Regional Transport Office (RTO) officials.
Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik stated that drivers should first receive a one-month period to learn Marathi before punitive measures begin. Sarnaik added that around 1,65,600 non-Marathi-speaking autorickshaw and taxi drivers have attended Marathi classes so far as part of government efforts to encourage language learning.
Enforcement drives across the state have already resulted in 2,767 notices being issued to commercial passenger vehicle drivers, primarily auto and taxi operators, over two days. RTO authorities served notices to 1,268 drivers on August 20, followed by 1,499 drivers the next day, for lacking adequate or practical Marathi knowledge.
