WATCH: Bengaluru Uber driver harassed by local auto-rickshaw driver; netizens and police react

A viral video from Bengaluru showed local rickshaw drivers harassing Thomas Simte and his Uber driver, demanding he cancel the ride, which led to a social media outcry and police response.

The video was shared on X.

Recently, a video circulating on social media from Bengaluru, has highlighted a disturbing trend of passengers choosing to take app-based rides being harassed.

In one such video, Thomas Simte recorded and shared a clip showing local rickshaw drivers harassing him, pulling his backpack, and demanding he cancel his ride. Simte can be heard questioning, “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.”

He wrote, “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”

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In the video, an Uber bike driver and his passenger are subjected to racial abuse and threats. The passenger, who had booked the ride through the Uber app, found himself and the driver being targeted by individuals hurling slurs and intimidating.

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A local auto rickshaw driver kept insisting he cancel the booking, while another lurched forward, apparently to physically hurt the maker of the video. The video ended abruptly when someone smacked his camera.

Watch the video below:

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

As the video gained traction, it reached the Bengaluru City Police. From their official X account, they replied to the video and wrote, “Please share your contact number via DM. In case of distress/ emergency situation, dial #Namma 112.”

Smite responded back saying, “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.”

Even Uber India’s official handle replied to the post saying, “We understand such issues are never pleasant to deal with. Rest assured, we’ve made a note of your feedback which will help us take necessary actions and improve your future experience and truly appreciate you taking the time to give us your feedback.”

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Having gained 2.7K likes and a considerable amount of views, the post also sparked a discussion among netizens on X. One user wrote, “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.”

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Meanwhile, another user wrote, “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?” And a third user replied, “Sir, Please put an end to this vigilantism, if bike taxi is not allowed let police question them not auto drivers. We cannot just allow harassment like this..”

A fifth user added, “All the auto drivers should be behind bars this is getting out of control as auto riders are creating ruckus and cause of severe rash driving.”