Harassment by auto drivers: Bike taxi association strike in B'luru today

Bike taxi drivers are planning a peaceful protest at Freedom Park today urging the government to protect them against harassment by auto drivers.

Adhinarayana, vice-president, Bike Taxi Association, Bengaluru, has expressed concern over the safety of over 70,000 bike taxi drivers in the association.

The dangers posed by auto-rickshaw drivers in the past have made these drivers feel insecure, he said. He cited the recent HSR Layout incident where an auto-rickshaw driver smashed the helmet of a bike taxi driver as an example of such dangers.

The Bike Taxi Association is the primary and sole organisation representing bike taxi drivers in the city, with members from bike taxi services like Rapido and Uber. Majority of these drivers use bike taxi services as a secondary source of income. Although the association announced its plan to hold the strike, it will only proceed after receiving permission and adequate police protection.

“It is our right to work and we do it earnestly. We have done nothing to provoke auto drivers and yet, they yell abuses at us, threaten to harm us or our vehicles without mercy,” said Adhinarayana, adding that auto-rickshaw drivers should discuss their issues directly with the government and not take out their frustrations on bike taxi drivers.

Monday’s strike is to emphasise their demand for a safe work environment without an external threat to livelihood and personal safety.

“We need to protect ourselves and we will do what we can to demand it peacefully,” Adhinarayana said.

Transport Commissioner S N Siddaramappa said no action can be taken against Rapido bike taxis in the city due to a high court stay order.

Hearing on March 29

“The matter has been listed for hearing on March 29. We can only take a decision after that hearing,” he told DH.

On Thursday, the association lodged a police complaint against statements made by auto union president Raghu Gowda, who, in a viral video, called on his followers to “burn” all bike taxis on the road in two-three days.

Bike taxi drivers demanded action against Raghu in accordance with the high court order restraining the state government from enforcing coercive action against companies providing bike taxi services in the state.