Video of lady passenger in BMTC bus forcing conductor to take off skull cap goes viral; draws flak

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: A video of a female passenger asking a Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) bus conductor to remove his skull cap has gone viral, drawing flak from a section of social media users.

The video, which is about one-and-a-half minutes long, shows the woman questioning the conductor about whether he is allowed to wear a skull cap while in uniform.

The conductor, who is a middle-aged man, politely explains that he has been wearing the skull cap for many years and that he has never had any problems with it before.

The woman, however, is not satisfied with the conductor’s answer and insists that he remove the skull cap.

She says that he should only wear it at home or at the mosque. The conductor eventually relents and removes the skull cap. The video has been shared widely on social media, with many users expressing their anger and disgust at the woman’s behaviour. Some have even called for her to be arrested.

The BMTC has also condemned the woman’s actions, saying that it was “completely unacceptable”. The corporation has said that it will take action against the woman, once her identity is confirmed.

The incident has highlighted the growing problem of religious intolerance in India. The video of the BMTC bus conductor is a reminder that this is a serious problem that needs to be addressed.

“It is important to remember that everyone has the right to practice their religion freely and that no one should be forced to remove their religious symbols,” tweeted a user.

Congress leader Lavanya Ballal has tweeted, “All women must take advantage of the Shakti scheme. Please stop harassing the employees busy at work. It’s unnecessary and it’s moral policing. We have brought this issue to the notice of our transportation minister Ramalinga Reddy.”

While some Twitter users supported the woman for “following the law,” many netizens called her action “moral policing.”

Some even sharply criticised her for sharing the video of the incident on social media, thereby doubly shaming the conductor. They demanded that the BMTC file a police complaint against the woman.

Noted journalist Prajwal Bhat tweeted, “Amazed at the restraint of this conductor. What rule is this woman talking about? This is moral policing.”

He tagged the BMTC and the Bengaluru City Police. A third Twitter user has urged the government not to turn a blind eye towards such acts of harassment but to take action against the ‘hate-mongering’ lady