India, April 25 -- Auto-rickshaw and taxi unions across Mumbai launched a mass signature campaign on Friday opposing the state government's directive mandating Marathi language proficiency for drivers and permit holders from May 1.

The unions distributed forms among the drivers and permit holders mentioning the premise for objecting to the rule and the tabular space to fix their signatures.

The signature campaign will specifically involve the community of auto and taxi drivers, majority of who are migrants from north India. The form mentions how lakhs of drivers and their families will be impacted by the transport department's decision.

According to union estimates, Mumbai has around 2.80 lakh registered auto-rickshaws and taxis, of wh...