B’luru: Social media users share experiences following viral video of argument with Uber driver
Bengaluru: A video clip of an argument between an Uber driver and a customer over the use of air conditioning (AC) has sparked widespread discussion on social media about the challenges faced by passengers with cab drivers in Bengaluru.
The video, posted by the customer on his personal 'X' account on Sunday, shows a heated exchange where the customer requests the driver to turn on the AC. The driver responds angrily, stating that the AC was not working. When the customer insists, the driver remains silent, leading the customer to suggest that he be dropped off if the driver did not wish to accommodate him.
In a second clip attached to the post, the customer is seen rebuking the driver for getting upset over a minor issue and expressing his dissatisfaction with traveling in an Indica. The driver responds by demanding that the customer speak to him in Kannada, instead of Hindi.
Providing context for the incident, the customer posted, "Since everyone is forming an opinion, let me share the context here - 16sec video is 1st followed by the other video. I denied to sit in his friend’s Indica as it didn’t have AC and was filthy. Then I sat in his car and he talked to me in Hindi only. But the moment I asked him to turn on the AC, he got charged up. Listen to him responding in Hindi 'AC nahi hai'. It’s not about language here; it’s about an arrogant and irresponsible person using Kannada language as a smokescreen to continue scamming gullible people who travel to BLR for work."
The customer also shared the registration number of the cab and tagged Uber support in another post.
The incident resonated with many social media users, who shared similar experiences. One user commented, "I also face the same problem but not in a cab but in a hospital. He asked me why I came to Karnataka if I don't know Kannada. It happened in Karnataka."
Another user recounted, "Couple of such drivers I met in NCR & Bangalore, was taught a nice lesson by me. Those drivers will never forget me. It was during my college days."
Suggestions on how to handle such situations were also shared. One user recommended filing a complaint with the app, mentioning the driver's rude behavior to lower his ratings, while advising against bringing such matters to public attention.
This incident is reminiscent of a similar case from March 2023, where an auto rickshaw driver in Bengaluru refused to speak in Hindi and criticized a passenger for not speaking Kannada, which also went viral on social media.
Uber is yet to publicly respond to the specific complaint, but the incident has highlighted ongoing issues between passengers and drivers in the city, particularly concerning language and service expectations.
Context: https://t.co/vMA4JDh7mR
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Waqf Bill anti-secular, will snatch rights of Muslims: Mamata Banerjee
Kolkata (PTI): West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday described the Waqf (Amendment) Bill as “anti-secular”, claiming that it would snatch the rights of Muslims.
Banerjee, speaking in the assembly, also said the Centre did not consult with states over the matter.
“The bill is anti-federal and anti-secular; it is a deliberate attempt to malign a particular section. It will snatch the rights of Muslims... The Centre did not consult with us on the Waqf Bill,” she said.
The chief minister added that “if any religion was attacked”, she would wholeheartedly condemn it.
Opposition parties have stridently criticised the amendments proposed by the bill in the existing Waqf Act, alleging that they violate the religious rights of Muslims.
The ruling BJP has asserted that the amendments will bring transparency in the functioning of the Waqf boards and make them accountable.
A parliamentary committee has been constituted to scrutinise the contentious bill.
