MUMBAI: A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) will be filed in the Bombay high court on Tuesday challenging the Maharashtra government’s August 12 notification making working knowledge of Marathi compulsory for auto-rickshaw, taxi and app-based cab drivers.The petition, filed by four app-based cab drivers, including Mohd. Kasim Ahmad, contends that the notification violates their fundamental rights under Articles 14, 19 and 21 of the Constitution. The petitioners have also argued that the notification is ultra vires the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, which does not prescribe any language requirement for obtaining or holding a driving licence.The petitioners have raised concerns over the impact of the rule on lakhs of economically vulnerable and migrant drivers, who face the prospect of suspension of badges and cancellation of permits if they fail to meet the Marathi language requirement.The PIL is expected to seek an immediate stay on the August 12 notification, arguing that its implementation could cause severe hardship to nearly 9.65 lakh drivers operating across Maharashtra.The challenge comes after the state transport authorities began enforcing the Marathi proficiency requirement as part of checks on auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers.
