In a recent development, the Supreme Court of India has granted a two-month window for retailers in Mumbai to install Marathi signboards outside their shops. This directive comes in response to a rule introduced by the Maharashtra government last year, which made Marathi signboards mandatory for all big and small shops in the state. The court’s decision has sparked a debate among shopkeepers, who argue that the replacement of existing signboards will impose a significant financial burden.
Bench’s Perspective
The Supreme Court bench, comprising justices BV Nagarathna and Ujjal Bhuyan, emphasized the importance of adhering to this rule, especially with Diwali and Dusshera festivities approaching. They questioned shopkeepers about their reluctance, stating, “Now is the time to have Marathi signboards. You are in Maharashtra. You do not know the benefit of having Marathi signboards?”
Shopkeeper’s Concerns
Advocate Mohini Priya, representing the federation of retail traders of Mumbai, clarified that shopkeepers do not oppose the use of Marathi signboards. Their primary concern lies with the rule’s mandate that Marathi must be in the same font size as any other language on the signboard. The shopkeepers argue that replacing existing signboards with new ones will result in substantial costs.
Karnataka’s Similar Rule
The bench highlighted that Karnataka also has a similar rule in place, preventing shopkeepers from using smaller fonts for Marathi than other languages. They urged shopkeepers to comply with the rule swiftly, warning that failing to do so might lead to the petition’s dismissal in the Bombay High Court, incurring heavy costs.
Retail Association’s Response
While the retail association agreed to follow the court’s advice, they urged the court to consider constitutional issues raised in their petitions after two months. Advocate Priya requested a four-month period, citing the unavailability of raw materials and labor for making the signboards on short notice. However, the court granted them only two months.
Encouraging Compliance
On September 1, the Supreme Court had suggested that shopkeepers should consider putting up Marathi signboards instead of spending money on litigation. They argued that Marathi, as the official language of Maharashtra, could attract more customers and emphasized that this issue was not worth fighting over.
Mumbai’s Unique Blend
Although the federation argued that Mumbai is a cosmopolitan city with people from all states, the bench reminded them that Mumbai is also the capital of Maharashtra, where Marathi holds official status. They reiterated that putting up Marathi signboards could potentially benefit businesses by appealing to a larger customer base.
Maharashtra’s Regulatory Step
The rule, introduced by the Maharashtra government under Section 36-A of the Maharashtra Shops and Establishments (regulation of employment and conditions of service) Act last year, aimed to promote the use of Marathi on signboards. The state government argued that this requirement was already present in the Rules under the unamended law and had been uniformly extended to small shops with less than 10 employees.
The Supreme Court’s directive for Mumbai retailers to install Marathi signboards within two months underscores the significance of embracing the state’s official language. While shopkeepers have expressed concerns about the associated costs, the court has encouraged compliance, highlighting the potential benefits to businesses in Maharashtra’s capital. This decision brings to light the delicate balance between preserving linguistic identity and ensuring ease of doing business in a cosmopolitan city like Mumbai.