Focus on security, not language of auto drivers: HC
The Bombay High Court on Tuesday pulled up the Maharashtra government’s condition of compelling auto rickshaw drivers to have knowledge of Marathi language. The HC also said that the government’s top priority must be ‘protection of citizens’ and not language.
A division bench presided over by Justice Abhay Oka and Justice Anuja Prabhudesai was hearing a bunch of petitions filed by auto rickshaw unions from Mira Road and Bhiwandi.
The Union have challenged the condition imposed by the government under the provisions of Maharashtra Motor Vehicles Act.
While dictating its judgment over the petitions, Justice Oka said, “The Act under which you (government) have imposed the condition also has several other rules. There are provisions that the auto rickshaw drivers must not refuse to drive any passenger from one place to another, are such rules implemented effectively?”
“There have been instances wherein passengers are ill treated and are harassed. Is there any redressal mechanism like some Whatsapp number or some App to look into the complaints of passengers, in place?” the bench asked.
Slamming the government for making Marathi Language compulsory, Justice Oka said, “We want to know from the government as to what should be their area of priority. Should the government focus on knowing of a language or on the protection and security of common man?”
The bench also gave a clarification pertaining to its stand on this issue. This was regarding the bench’s ‘prima facie’ view which was contrary the observation made by another bench headed by Justice VM Kanade in the same matter. Justice Kanade had said termed the government’s conditions as ‘reasonable.’
Clarifying the different view it held, Justice Oka said, “The previous bench had held a prima facie view and had not passed any judgment. This court cannot be compelled to have the same prima facie view.”
In its order, the bench also said that if the government desires to make Marathi language compulsory, then it should make separate rules for the same and then impose such conditions.