Shocking: Women Punch, Slap And Pull Each Other's Hair Over Bus Seat

Telangana’s initiative to provide free bus rides to women and transgender, part of the TSRTC’s Mahalakshmi plan, has come under scrutiny after a video showing a physical altercation among female passengers went viral on Monday. The incident occurred on a journey from Zaheerabad to Sangareddy and has instigated a debate on the challenges arising from the implementation of the free ride facility.

The viral video captured a disturbing scene as women engaged in a heated argument, which quickly escalated into a physical altercation. Initially, the dispute unfolded between seated passengers, eventually involving standing women and turning into a chaotic situation. The presence of children on the bus added to the distress, with frightened youngsters crying amid the unfolding chaos.

Passengers on the bus, witnessing the quarrel among women, expressed sharp criticism, questioning the wisdom of fighting for seats on the same bus rather than opting for the next available one. The incident has prompted concerns about the potential for disorder and conflicts resulting from the free ride facility, raising questions about how RTC authorities plan to address and resolve these issues.

In response to the incident, RTC officials conducted an inquiry and determined that the bus involved did not belong to the Sangareddy region, speculating it might be from the Hyderabad depot, according to the report by The New Indian Express. While acknowledging the incident, they assured the public that a comprehensive investigation is underway to identify the causes and implement measures to prevent such occurrences in the future, the report added.

The Mahalakshmi scheme was presented by the Indian National Congress (INC) party on September 18, 2023, as part of its Telangana Assembly elections manifesto, which outlines a comprehensive plan to enhance the well-being of women in the state. The scheme envisions providing monthly financial assistance of Rs 2,500 to all women aged 18 and above in Telangana. Additionally, it incorporates provisions for subsidised LPG gas cylinders priced at Rs 7500 and offers complimentary travel for women on state-run buses.

With a focus on empowering women and fortifying their financial security, the Mahalakshmi scheme in Telangana anticipates positively impacting the lives of more than 1.5 crore women. The INC had committed to implementing the scheme if successful in the Assembly elections.