Ola, Uber drivers protest as strike enters second week

The protest called by drivers associated with Ola and Uber saw a huge response with more than 5,000 drivers assembling at Freedom Park even as most of the drivers chose to stay away from work.

App-based taxis were unavailable even on Wednesday. Barring a few drivers who have not joined the strike, which entered the second week, all others logged off from duty. Leaders of several unions spoke from morning to evening, stating that cab aggregator companies should try to meet their demands instead of ignoring them.

“We are not protesting here out of greed. A driver chose to consume poison and another tried to immolate himself. The companies should understand why we are being forced to take such extreme steps,” Narayanaswamy, a driver, said.

Around 50 drivers were camping at the protest venue. “We sent all other drivers away. We are expecting a bigger gathering tomorrow,” said Tanveer Pasha, leader of a union. Former chief minister H D Kumaraswamy, who has been supporting the drivers’ cause, is set to join the protesters on Thursday.