Migrant Drivers Block Mumbai's Kandivali Link Road Over Marathi Language Rule
· India · Indian Express, Hindustan Times, LiveMint
Non-Marathi-speaking auto and taxi drivers staged a protest on Kandivali Link Road in Mumbai on Monday, August 24, to oppose a state-wide enforcement campaign. The protesters alleged they are being harassed and warned by native Marathi speakers to learn the language. The Transport Department’s crackdown, which began on August 20, mandates that drivers possess functional knowledge of Marathi or face potential license suspension. Drivers claimed that the associated fines of Rs 5,000 are unaffordable for those earning approximately Rs 500 per day. The 1.5-hour protest disrupted traffic during peak morning hours and required a heavy police deployment to restore order.
Why it matters
The crackdown directly impacts the livelihoods of migrant transport workers in Maharashtra, creating a divide within the local auto-rickshaw community and raising concerns over the financial burden of penalties.
Read the original report — Indian Express
Join us on Telegram
Breaking news the moment it lands. At 10,000 members we ship the Android app.