Auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers in Kandivali began a three-day strike on Monday to protest mandatory Marathi language requirements for transport permits [1].

The demonstration highlights a growing conflict between state cultural mandates and the practical realities of Mumbai's diverse workforce. Because the rule affects license renewals, drivers fear that a lack of linguistic proficiency could lead to steep fines or the total cancellation of their permits [1], [2].

Protesters staged the action by parking their vehicles along the Kandivali Link Road, effectively blocking traffic to draw attention to their grievances [2]. The drivers said that the requirement is unfair to those who did not receive formal education. Some protesters said that if they had been educated, they would be working in offices rather than driving taxis [2].

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis addressed the unrest following the onset of the strike. Fadnavis said there is no need for drivers to be experts in Marathi to comply with the regulations [1].

The strike is scheduled to last for three days [1]. The state transport department said that basic knowledge of the local language is necessary for the renewal of licenses, a policy that has sparked widespread anxiety among the city's transport operators [1], [2].

Drivers continue to argue that the mandate creates an unnecessary barrier to their livelihood. They said that the enforcement of the rule would disproportionately impact migrant workers, and those from non-Marathi speaking backgrounds who have operated in the city for years [2].

“Drivers fear that a lack of linguistic proficiency could lead to steep fines or the total cancellation of their permits.”

This dispute reflects the tension between Maharashtra's efforts to promote regional linguistic identity and the economic dependence on a multi-ethnic labor force. By linking language proficiency to legal permits, the state is transforming a cultural preference into a professional requirement, which may lead to further labor instability in Mumbai's critical transport sector.