India, April 27 -- Amid the state transport department's mandate that auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers in Maharashtra must be able to speak basic Marathi, with non-compliance potentially leading to non-renewal of licences at the time of renewal, unions across Mumbai have begun mobilising for a mass protest against the directive. A key meeting of drivers has been scheduled for Monday evening.

The Auto-rickshaw and taxi unions argue that the move is a form of harassment against migrant workers.

The directive, which proposes a Marathi language test for drivers and permit holders from May 1, has brought auto-taxi unions and the transport department into direct confrontation.

Shashank Sharad Rao, union leader who heads the Autorickshaw Chalak...