{
  "id": 3187784,
  "title": "Mumbai Auto Strike Day 2: Commuters Face Trouble Over Marathi Rule As Rickshaw Drivers Continue Protest",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/25/mumbai-auto-strike-day-2-commuters-face-trouble-over-marathi-rule-as",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-25T03:50:18.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Press Journal",
    "slug": "free-press-journal",
    "url": "https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/mumbai-auto-strike-day-2-commuters-face-trouble-over-marathi-rule-as-rickshaw-drivers-continue-protest"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Mumbai commuters braced for another day of disruption as autorickshaw drivers extended their three-day strike on Tuesday. The protest centers on the state's new rule requiring drivers to speak Marathi. On Monday, autorickshaws were absent from roads in multiple locations, including Bandra, Kandivali, Govandi, Vakola, Kurla, Andheri and Santacruz, creating headaches for commuters rushing to railway stations and workplaces.\n\nTraffic on Kandivali Link Road was particularly affected, with drivers allegedly blocking the road for about 20 minutes in protest. Police tried to restore normal flow but the disruption caused considerable congestion.\n\nAuto and taxi unions are now asking for a three-month extension to comply with the Marathi language requirement, plus a temporary suspension of any punitive measures. Union president Shashank Rao stressed drivers need time to learn Marathi without fear for their jobs.\n\nTransport Minister Pratap Sarnaik countered, suggesting drivers should first receive one month to learn Marathi before facing any action. Over 2,700 drivers have already received notices for lacking sufficient Marathi skills. The government is encouraging learning, with around 165,600 non-Marathi-speaking drivers attending classes. The unions' main focus remains a prolonged transition period and protection from punitive action until drivers can fulfill the language requirement.",
  "summary": "Mumbai: Commuters across Mumbai are likely to face another day of inconvenience as autorickshaw drivers continued their three-day strike on Tuesday, protesting the implementation of the state's Marathi language requirement for drivers. On Monday, autorickshaws remained off the roads in several parts of the city, including Bandra, Kandivali, Govandi, Vakola, Kurla, Andheri and Santacruz, leaving…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Press Journal",
        "title": "Mumbai Auto Strike: Marathi Rickshaw Driver Allegedly Assaulted Amid Language Protest In Kandivali; VIDEO Shows Abusive Language Used",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/25/mumbai-auto-strike-marathi-rickshaw-driver-allegedly-assaulted-amid",
        "published": "2026-08-25T04:41:09.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}