Bengaluru Rickshaw Drivers Detained During Protest Against ‘Illegal’ Bike Taxis, 2 Lakh Autos off Streets

High drama ensued in Bengaluru during a protest staged by auto rickshaw drivers in the city who have been opposing private bike taxi aggregators operating in the city.

Some protesters clashed with cops when they tried to gherao Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai’s residence. Some protesters were detained by city police.

Demanding a ban on bike taxis, members of multiple auto unions have been staging protests at the KSR Railway station in Bengaluru among other key spots in the city.

Auto drivers waved black flags and raised slogans against CM Bommai and the Karnataka government.

According to Adarsh Auto and Taxi Drivers’ Union president M Manjunath, over two lakh autorickshaws will remain off the roads till Monday midnight. In Karnataka’s state capital, the union has one of the largest memberships.

According to Manjunath, 21 autorickshaw drivers’ associations have come together against bike taxis.

Auto driver unions claim that the state transport department views bike taxis as illegal but yet the drivers are operating on city roads with impunity.

Earlier this month, a video of an altercation between an autorickshaw driver and a bike taxi driver went viral on social media, drawing a response from Bengaluru City Police.

In the video, an autorickshaw was seen smashing the mobile phone of a bike taxi driver in the Indiranagar area of Bengaluru city. He then delivered a monologue alleging that Rapido Bike Taxi Services have rampant illegalities. “Dear friends, this shows how many illegal Rapido bikes are plying on the streets,” he said pointing at the bike taxi driver.

Auto rickshaw drivers and bike taxis have been competing for space on Bengaluru’s roads to gain a larger customer base.

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