© IE Online Media Services Pvt Ltd
Tags:
Journalism of Courage
A video of a Rapido bike driver assaulting a woman passenger in Bengaluru’s Jayanagar area has triggered massive outrage on social media. The incident unfolded when the woman allegedly confronted the rider over rash driving, which prompted her to get off the vehicle before her destination.
Shared by journalist Rahul Shivshankar, the viral video shows the woman, who reportedly works at a jewellery store, schooling the Rapido rider over his reckless driving. As the argument escalates, the driver slaps the woman, causing her to fall to the ground.
According to an NDTV report, the woman and the Rapido driver were unable to communicate as she spoke only English and he Kannada. The woman allegedly refused to pay and return the helmet, following which he slapped her. “She kept asking me to stop while I was in the middle of the road. I explained that someone would hit us from behind if we stopped there,” Suhas, the driver, said.
He also admitted to asking the woman to “go back to her country”, alleging that she had abused him and grabbed him by his collar.
The report also stated that the police urged the woman to lodge a complaint, which she has refused to.
Watch the viral video here:
The video quickly took over social media, sparking outrage against the Rapido biker. “This incident is another reminder of the growing safety concerns around app-based transport services especially for solo passengers,” a user wrote. “It’s really bad. Not because it’s female. Passenger have rights to ask for driving control, stop rash driving , security of passenger,” another user commented.
“Absolutely deplorable. This is why we hesitate to let our daughters go out alone,” a third user reacted.
Recently, a Bengaluru woman shared harrowing details of an unpleasant auto ride she booked through Rapido. In a video, the woman was seen confronting the autorickshaw driver who was caught red-handed attempting to steal money from her handbag.
