Opposing the Maharashtra Government’s decision to issue new permits to one lakh autorickshaws only for Marathi-speaking applicants, members of the Dharwad District Autorickshaw Drivers Union staged a protest here on Tuesday.

The members of the union, led by union president B.A. Mudhol, general secretary Devanand Jagapur, and Babajan Mudhol, staged a demonstration in front of the Mini Vidhana Soudha opposing the Maharashtra Government’s move.

The protesters complained that the move by the Maharashtra Government was against the Constitution and demanded that the decision be withdrawn immediately.

The protesters then submitted a memorandum addressed to the Governor of Maharashtra seeking his intervention in the matter.

Maharashtra Transport Minister Diwakar Raote had, on Tuesday last, announced that his government would issue one lakh new autorickshaw permits in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region only to applicants who spoke Marathi.

Opposition parties in Maharashtra have criticised it as a move aimed at consolidating Marathi votes.