A 30-year-old Dalit cab driver in Lucknow has alleged that Rapido suspended his driver account for 99 years and 11 months after he confronted four passengers over alleged casteist remarks. The driver says the company took action without hearing his side of the incident.
Driver says passengers made casteist remarks
Ankit Kumar, a resident of Lucknow’s PGI area, said the incident took place on Monday when he picked up four passengers from Utrahtia railway station and was taking them to Charbagh railway station.
According to Kumar, the passengers were initially discussing and criticising a senior railway officer. He said he did not intervene at first but objected when they allegedly began using casteist slurs and linking the officer’s abilities to his caste.
Kumar, who belongs to the Chamar community, said he repeatedly asked the passengers to stop.
“I requested them several times to withdraw their remarks, but they continued,” Kumar told the media. He said he reminded them that a person’s ability has nothing to do with their caste.
In a video of the confrontation that circulated on social media, Kumar can be heard questioning the passengers over their language.
“How can you use casteist remarks? If you have a problem with a person, use their name. Why are you defaming the entire community?” he said.
Passengers asked to leave the cab
Kumar said the passengers continued making the alleged remarks despite his objections. He eventually stopped the vehicle near Telibagh market, close to a police outpost, and asked all four passengers to get out.
An argument reportedly followed after the passengers left the vehicle. Kumar said the incident was later recorded and the video was widely shared on social media.
He also claimed that he began receiving abusive and threatening messages after the video went viral.
“People are questioning why I objected and asked the passengers to leave. I have been receiving threats and abusive messages ever since the video went viral,” he said.
‘Company did not hear my side’
Kumar has alleged that the passengers later complained to the ride-hailing company, following which his driver account was suspended.
According to him, the app showed a suspension period of “99 years and 11 months”.
“The company should have at least heard my side of the story once. After that, whether they chose to suspend me or not was their decision. But they suspended me without even asking what had happened,” Kumar said.
He added that he had no personal dispute with the passengers and objected only because of the alleged casteist comments.
“They kept making casteist remarks against one of their own officers, so I objected,” he said.
Suspension affects family’s livelihood
Kumar holds a diploma in mechanical engineering but drives a cab to support his family. He said he is the sole earning member of his household. His father works as a daily-wage labourer, while his mother is a homemaker.
The alleged suspension has therefore affected his ability to earn.
