Struggling to make ends meet: Karnataka bike taxi ban hits six lakh riders hard
Bengaluru: Over six lakh bike taxi riders in Karnataka have been left in a state of deep uncertainty following a High Court directive to stop bike taxi operations in the state. With their primary source of income cut off, many riders now find themselves struggling to meet basic financial obligations.
Bike taxi riders are holding meetings to explore their next steps after nearly six lakh of them have been left jobless, according to the Bike Taxi Welfare Association. Many are now grappling with mounting financial pressures, Deccan Herald reported on Thursday.
Adhinarayana, president of the Bike Taxi Welfare Association, revealed that around 300 riders visit their office in HSR Layout each day seeking support. “We are constantly in touch with them, trying to find a way forward. Shifting to other daily wage jobs will mean we will earn less than before,” DH quoted him as saying.
While the association reportedly met Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy last month, there has been no tangible outcome. “The government has the power to frame rules but has not acted. This has affected both riders and commuters who relied on us,” Adhinarayana added.
Many of these riders have been part of the bike taxi industry since its early days. Shivananda, a native of Belagavi who moved to Bengaluru over a decade ago, has worked as a bike taxi rider since 2018. Before that, he earned Rs 12,000 per month working for a company. A brief stint in food delivery followed, where he earned about Rs 800 per day under demanding and erratic conditions. However, his income had nearly doubled as a bike taxi rider.
For others like Vinayaka, the situation is extremely dire. With no SSLC qualification, job options are extremely limited. “I’ve been sitting at home, desperately hoping something changes. I have to pay my vehicle's EMI, send money home, pay rent as well, but I am unable to manage now,” DH quoted him as saying.
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CBCI urges Prime Minister Modi to condemn attacks on Christians, bring fringe groups under control
Bengaluru: Archbishop Andrews Thazhath, president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI), on Tuesday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to publicly condemn attacks on Christians and take firm steps to protect the rights of religious minorities, saying it is the constitutional duty of the government to do so.
Addressing a press conference a day ahead of the CBCI’s 37th General Body Meeting in Bengaluru, Archbishop Thazhath said the Church has consistently approached government authorities whenever incidents of violence occur, but has never resorted to counter-attacks. “Protecting the rights of minorities and Christians is the duty of the government. Whenever we raise these issues, authorities often describe the perpetrators as fringe groups. If they are fringe groups, they must be condemned and brought under control,” he said.
The CBCI president said he had personally raised the issue with Prime Minister Modi on multiple occasions, including during the Prime Minister’s recent participation in Christmas celebrations. He expressed concern over attacks targeting Christians on the basis of religion, stressing that the Church does not view the issue through a political lens. “We are not political people. There have been attacks on Christians purely on the basis of religion, and we are afraid of this trend. We want the Prime Minister to take necessary precautions and clearly condemn such acts,” he said.
Archbishop Thazhath reiterated that the Christian response to violence is guided by faith and non-violence. “Our methodology is not to counter-attack because Jesus has taught us to love all, even our enemies,” he said. He also highlighted the Christian community’s long-standing contribution to nation-building. “Christians have contributed to this country and will continue to do so. Yet, religious discrimination and attacks continue to take place in some parts of the country, which causes fear,” he added.
His remarks come weeks after a pastor, Bipin Bihari Naik, was allegedly assaulted by Bajrang Dal workers in Odisha, where he was reportedly forced to eat cow dung and chant religious slogans. Without referring to specific cases, the Archbishop said attacks on Christians occur in different forms across various regions. He recalled that in August 2025, Catholic nuns and priests from Kerala were allegedly attacked by Bajrang Dal members in Odisha.
The CBCI General Body Meeting will begin on Wednesday under the theme “Faith and the Nation: The Church’s Witness to India’s Constitutional Vision”. Former Supreme Court judge Justice K.M. Joseph and Professor D. Dominic are scheduled to address the gathering on the topic “Current Socio-Political Context and Constitutional Values”.
According to the meeting agenda, deliberations will take place against the backdrop of several developments, including recent Supreme Court directives on a public interest litigation concerning anti-conversion laws, attacks on churches and Christian institutions in different regions, and incidents of violence and intimidation reported during the Christmas season.
In a pre-meeting media briefing, Archbishop Thazhath emphasised that despite being a numerical minority, Christians have made significant contributions to India. He underlined that the Constitution guarantees minority rights and the freedom to practise religion. Countering narratives that portray Christianity as foreign, he said the faith has been present in India for nearly 2,000 years. “Christianity is inherently Indian. It is not alien,” he asserted.
The Archbishop also expressed serious concern over what he described as growing hostility towards Christians, often under the guise of enforcing anti-conversion laws. He said he had conveyed these anxieties directly to the Prime Minister.
Also present at the briefing were CBCI Secretary General Archbishop Anil J.T. Couto, Vice-President II Bishop Joseph Mar Thomas, Deputy Secretary General Fr. Mathew Koyickal, and PRO Fr. Robinson Rodrigues.
