# Mumbai drivers strike over mandatory Marathi language rule > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/maharashtra-commercial-driver-regulation-updates > Updated: 2026-09-05T00:33:48.000Z. Sources: 38. Developments: 7. The Maharashtra government’s mandate requiring commercial passenger-vehicle drivers to have a working knowledge of Marathi has led to significant unrest. Following a statewide inspection campaign where 777 drivers were issued notices for insufficient proficiency, auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers in Mumbai launched a three-day strike, disrupting transportation services. Protests escalated in areas such as Kandivali, where road blockades resulted in clashes and the arrest of four individuals following an alleged assault on a driver. Drivers have argued that the requirement threatens their livelihoods and criticized RTO officials for asking questions beyond the scope of official training. In response to the unrest, a petition has been filed in the Bombay High Court challenging the rule as a violation of the Motor Vehicles Act and fundamental rights. Addressing the situation, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis stated that drivers do not need to be experts but must know enough Marathi to perform their duties. Following meetings with driver association heads, the government granted a one-year extension for drivers to meet the proficiency requirement. Under this extension, the state will take no punitive action against drivers for a lack of Marathi proficiency. The mandate also applies to app-based cab drivers working with aggregators such as Ola, Uber, and Rapido. While Shiv Sena spokesperson Sanjay Nirupam welcomed the extension as a way to promote the language through “respect rather than strictness,” the decision remains politically charged. Amit Thackeray of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) criticized the extension, linking the timing to upcoming elections and threatening consequences for drivers who continue to speak Hindi. New regulations for app-based services, effective September 1, require aggregator companies to obtain licenses from the transport authority. Drivers must undergo police verification and provide a 15-year residence certificate, with a prohibition on driving for more than 12 continuous hours. ## Claims - Failure to comply with the language requirement after the grace period can lead to a three-month suspension of driving badges and permits. (disputed by 3 sources) - Drivers who fail the Marathi proficiency test will receive a notice and a one-month period to meet the requirement. (disputed by 2 sources) - The Maharashtra government has mandated that auto-rickshaw, taxi, and app-based cab drivers possess a working knowledge of Marathi. (corroborated by 10 sources) - Drivers have filed a petition in the Bombay High Court arguing the rule violates fundamental rights to equality, trade, and life. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Drivers have alleged that RTO officials are asking Marathi proficiency questions that exceed the scope of their official training. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis stated that drivers do not need to be experts in Marathi, only possessing basic functional knowledge for communication. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Four individuals were arrested in Kandivali following a strike and physical altercation involving auto-rickshaw drivers. (corroborated by 2 sources) - In the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, 722 drivers were issued notices after failing the Marathi language proficiency assessment. (corroborated by 2 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-05: Maharashtra grants taxi and tuk-tuk drivers one year to learn Marathi Maharashtra has granted taxi and tuk-tuk drivers a one-year extension to learn the Marathi language following protests over potential license suspensions and threats to livelihoods. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/maharashtra-grants-taxi-and-tuk-tuk-drivers-one-year-to-learn-marathi ### 2026-08-27: Maharashtra grants one-year grace period for drivers to learn Marathi Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has granted auto and taxi drivers a one-year grace period to learn conversational Marathi, pausing punitive actions against those who lack proficiency. 14 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/maharashtra-grants-drivers-one-year-extension-to-learn-marathi ### 2026-08-24: Waris Pathan urges time for drivers to learn Marathi AIMIM leader Waris Pathan urged the Maharashtra government to allow auto-rickshaw drivers more time to learn Marathi before enforcing penalties, citing Mumbai's multilingual nature. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/waris-pathan-urges-time-for-drivers-to-learn-marathi ### 2026-08-24: Maharashtra mandates Marathi language proficiency for taxi and auto drivers Maharashtra's mandate for taxi and auto drivers to know Marathi has sparked protests, strikes, and a Bombay High Court challenge over livelihood and constitutional rights. 14 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mumbai-drivers-strike-against-marathi-language-proficiency-rules ### 2026-08-22: Maharashtra Transport Department tests 5,211 drivers on Marathi proficiency Maharashtra authorities issued notices to 777 commercial drivers for lacking practical Marathi language skills. Drivers have one month to comply or face potential license suspension or cancellation. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/maharashtra-transport-department-tests-5211-drivers-on-marathi-proficiency ### 2026-08-18: Maharashtra implements new rules for app-based transport and driver language proficiency Maharashtra is introducing new rules for app-based transport services and mandating Marathi language proficiency for taxi and auto-rickshaw drivers starting September 1. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/maharashtra-implements-new-rules-for-app-based-transport-and-driver-language-proficiency ### 2026-08-12: Maharashtra mandates Marathi language proficiency for commercial drivers Maharashtra has mandated practical Marathi language proficiency for all commercial drivers, including app-based cab and auto-rickshaw operators, under new motor vehicle rule amendments. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/maharashtra-mandates-marathi-language-proficiency-for-commercial-drivers --- Cite as: Mumbai drivers strike over mandatory Marathi language rule. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/maharashtra-commercial-driver-regulation-updates