The Mumbai Autorickshawmen’s Union, representing auto drivers, has announced a protest starting May 4 against the Maharashtra government's requirement for auto and taxi drivers to demonstrate proficiency in Marathi. This new rule, effective from May 1, mandates that all licensed drivers prove their ability to read and write Marathi, with potential license cancellations for non-compliance. Union leaders estimate that nearly 15 lakh drivers across Maharashtra will participate, including around 5 lakh from the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). They argue that this requirement unfairly targets traditional auto and kaali-peeli taxi drivers while exempting aggregator cab drivers and illegal bike taxi operators. The union plans to submit a memorandum to Maharashtra's Minister of Transport, Pratap Sarnaik, on April 28, demanding the withdrawal of the rule. The protests are expected to disrupt services significantly, affecting the livelihoods of many families supported by the auto sector, which operates approximately 2.8 lakh autorickshaws in Mumbai alone.