Bengaluru Uber Driver and Passenger Harassed: Auto-Rickshaw Drivers Target Uber Passenger and Driver
Bengaluru Uber Driver and Passenger Harassed: Auto-Rickshaw Drivers Target Uber Passenger and Driver
A viral video captures local auto-rickshaw drivers harassing an Uber passenger and driver near Indiranagar Metro Station, prompting a response from Bengaluru City Police.
In a distressing incident near Indiranagar Metro Station in Bengaluru, local auto-rickshaw drivers were seen harassing an Uber passenger and the driver, who had booked a ride via the app. The video of the incident, shared by Thomas Simte on X (formerly Twitter), has quickly gone viral, sparking outrage and prompting a response from the Bengaluru City Police.
Getting harassed if we take @Uber_India bikes or Auto, instead of the regular rickshaw. This happened to me in Indiranagar Metro station @BangaloreMirror @BlrCityPolice @blrcitytraffic @TOIBengaluru @TodayBangalore @THBengaluru @Uber_Support @UberIN_Support @Uber_BLR @tdkarnataka pic.twitter.com/yjhMApEBGq
— Thomas Simte (@Thomasandwords) July 25, 2024
In the video, Simte, the Uber passenger, can be seen repeatedly asking, “Why are you harassing this person? Let me go. If people want to take an Uber, they will take Uber; if people want to take an auto, they will take auto. If you want to go to the police station, it’s right here.” Despite his pleas, the auto-rickshaw drivers continued to demand that he cancel his ride, with one even attempting to slap Simte and another pulling his backpack in an effort to force him off the Uber bike.
Simte detailed the harassment in his caption, stating, “Getting harassed if we take @Uber_India bikes or Auto, instead of the regular rickshaw. This happened to me at Indiranagar Metro Station.” He further explained that the Uber bike driver and he were subjected to abuse and threats from the local drivers, and the video ended abruptly when someone smacked the camera.
In a follow-up post, Simte expressed his frustration, saying, “I am not exaggerating when I say this happens every day to these riders. He pulled my bag from behind to get me down the bike. I want strict action against this harassment of passengers and of riders if they take Uber or any other mode of transport other than the bystanders.”
As the video gained traction, it caught the attention of the Bengaluru City Police, who responded, “Please share your contact number via DM. In case of distress/emergency situation, dial #Namma 112.” Simte replied, urging for increased safety measures and vigilance near auto-rickshaw stands, “Yes, please. I don’t want anyone else to face this issue. There was no traffic police nearby Indiranagar Metro Station. Please make sure more safety to the Uber riders and keep vigilance near auto stand areas.”
Uber India’s official handle also addressed the incident, stating, “This is concerning, Thomas. Such behavior is unacceptable, and we prioritize your safety above all else. Kindly send your registered Uber account contact details along with the trip details through Direct Message, and our safety team will contact you shortly.”
The incident sparked a discussion on social media.
“Don’t think anyone is jumping to conclusions. Vdo is available, faces of miscreants are visible. If the police want to take action they need not wait for an official complaint or ask the victim to call them. Police just need to find those miscreants and take legal action,” wrote one user
“The police pretends that it knows nothing.If action is to be taken on an every day occurrence at a metro station why ask for contact number?” commented a third
The incident has highlighted ongoing issues between ride-hailing services and local auto-rickshaw drivers in Bengaluru, raising questions about the enforcement of regulations and the need for better protection for passengers and drivers using app-based services.
