New Delhi: Rapido driver refuses Muslim passenger, “Musalmaan allowed nahi hai meri gaadi mein”
New Delhi: A Rapido driver allegedly refused to pick up a Muslim passenger on Eid, saying, "Musalmaan allowed nahi hai meri gaadi mein" (Muslims are not allowed in my vehicle), triggering outrage on social media, madhyamam reported.
The incident involved a Kerala-origin journalist, Zain, who is based in Delhi. He had booked a ride with driver Subhash Rawat, who allegedly declined the trip after realising the passenger’s identity.
"Why are you saying I am not allowed? Because I am a Muslim?" Zain asked during the call.
"Yes, Muslims are not allowed in my vehicle. This is not your father’s vehicle," Rawat shot back, telling him to stop calling. Rawat holds a 4.5 app rating.
Zain shared the call recording online, which quickly went viral, drawing widespread criticism and demands for action against the driver and the company.
The company apologized publicly, terming the conduct "completely unacceptable." In a statement, the company said, "Your safety is our top priority, and we are committed to ensuring a respectful and secure experience for all our passengers."
Further action against the driver is awaited.
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Diageo India collaborates with IRTE, Bengaluru Traffic Police to improve road safety
Bengaluru (PTI): Diageo India, in collaboration with the Institute of Road Traffic Education and the Bengaluru Traffic Police, has undertaken a road safety and traffic engineering study aimed at improving safety and traffic efficiency at key intersections in the city, the company said on Wednesday.
The initiative, taken up as part of the Diageo India (United Spirits Limited)’s Corporate Social Responsibility commitments, focuses on enhancing road safety and urban mobility in Bengaluru through research, on-ground assessment and capacity building.
According to a statement, the study assessed three key intersections—Chalukya Circle, Cantonment Railway Station Junction and H Siddaiah Circle—using a scientific, data-driven methodology that included traffic volume analysis, behavioural observations and road safety audits.
These locations were selected to represent different urban contexts, including administrative, transport hub and recreational zones, it said.
The analysis examined traffic movement patterns, pedestrian usage and crossing behaviour, and the role of road design and infrastructure in influencing traffic flow. It also identified opportunities to improve traffic efficiency through better planning and design.
The study recommended several low-cost engineering interventions such as improved lane channelisation, pedestrian refuge islands, optimised signal placement and enhanced signage to help improve traffic flow and road safety, the company said.
Bengaluru, one of India’s fastest-growing metropolitan cities, has over 14 million residents and more than 1.2 crore registered vehicles, placing significant pressure on road infrastructure and contributing to high congestion levels, the statement said.
As part of the initiative, a two-day training programme for Bengaluru Traffic Police officers was conducted on March 30 and 31 by Institute of Road Traffic Education (IRTE).
Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic), Bengaluru City, Karthik Reddy said Managing traffic in a city like Bengaluru requires a strong understanding of enforcement, road engineering, and on-ground realities.
Initiatives like this play an important role in strengthening the capacity of our officers and bringing valuable technical insights into day-to-day traffic management, he said.
"Greater coordination between planning, engineering, and enforcement agencies, along with a focus on both vehicular movement and pedestrian safety, will be key to improving traffic efficiency and making our roads safer for all."
Devashish Dasgupta, Corporate Relations Director, Diageo India (USL) said: " Through this collaboration with IRTE and Bengaluru Traffic Police, we are taking a science-based, data-driven approach to improving traffic flow and road safety. Starting with a pilot study across three key junctions and capacity building sessions, we aim to scale this initiative in a phased manner."
Headquartered in Bengaluru, Diageo India is among India's leading beverage alcohol companies, it claimed.
