End of Era: Supreme Court Bans Hand-Pulled Rickshaws in Matheran

In a landmark decision, the Supreme Court announced on Wednesday that the Maharashtra government must phase out hand-pulled rickshaws in Matheran within six months. The move is intended to protect human dignity and align with constitutional promises of social and economic justice in India.

Chief Justice B R Gavai and Justices K Vinod Chandran and N V Anjaria emphasized that the use of manual rickshaws, 78 years post-independence, runs counter to the nation's developmental goals and values of equality. Instead, authorities are urged to distribute e-rickshaws, as is the case in Gujarat's Kevadia.

The judgment draws from a 45-year-old precedent set in 'Azad Rickshaw Pullers Union v. State of Punjab,' further highlighting the need to eliminate exploitative labor practices. The court also cautioned the state against using financial constraints as an excuse for non-compliance.

(With inputs from agencies.)