09/08/2024
Bengaluru: A recent incident on a BMTC bus in Bengaluru has sparked controversy after a passenger was allegedly assaulted by the bus conductor for not speaking in Kannada.
The passenger, Abhinav Raj, who captured the incident on video, shared it on social media to bring attention to the issue and seek justice.The incident occurred near Rainbow Hospital in Marathahalli on Tuesday night. In the video, the conductor can be seen physically assaulting Raj while demanding that he speak in Kannada instead of Hindi.According to Raj's post on X (formerly Twitter), the conflict arose when he handed the conductor Rs 20 for a Rs 15 ticket. The conductor reportedly claimed he did not have change, despite Raj noticing some in his pocket. Raj also mentioned that the conductor refused to accept payment via UPI. As the disagreement escalated, the conductor allegedly began assaulting him.
Raj's tweet read: "I was assaulted on a BMTC bus near Rainbow Hospital, Marathahalli, Bengaluru last night by the conductor. After refusing to give me change or take payment by UPI, the BMTC conductor assaulted me and verbally abused me. Attaching the video here."
The incident has reignited the ongoing debate about language barriers faced by non-locals in Karnataka, highlighting the challenges they encounter when not speaking the local language.
In response to the incident, the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) suspended the conductor with immediate effect on August 8. The BMTC emphasized that it prioritizes the safety of its passengers and will take strict disciplinary action against any employee found guilty of misconduct.
Note: If any of you face similar issues, please avoid unnecessary arguments and reach out to the concerned department with evidence. Stay safe and be careful.
