A Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) bus conductor has been suspended following an incident in which he assaulted a passenger over a dispute regarding ₹5 change. The altercation, captured on video, quickly went viral on social media, prompting swift action from BMTC.

Incident Details and Viral Video

The incident occurred near Rainbow Hospital in Marathahalli. In the video shared by Abhinav Raj, the passenger involved, he is seen being assaulted by the conductor. Abhinav took to social media platform X to report the incident, writing, “I was assaulted on a BMTC bus near Rainbow Hospital, Marathahalli, Bengaluru last night by the conductor. After refusing to give me change or accept payment via UPI, the BMTC conductor assaulted me and verbally abused me.”

The video shows Abhinav expressing his frustration over not receiving the ₹5 change. The conductor’s response was to demand that Abhinav speak in Kannada, an action perceived as discriminatory and abusive. The conductor also taunted Abhinav, saying, “Record a video and show it to whomever you want,” before physically assaulting him.

Passenger’s Reaction and Community Impact

Abhinav Raj, who recently moved to Bengaluru and is involved in various social initiatives, expressed his dismay over the conductor’s behaviour. “As someone new to Bengaluru (staying here for under a year), I have volunteered for various social work initiatives in the city to give back to it. For the conductor to use language as a crutch to get violent or abusive shouldn’t be acceptable,” he said, highlighting his disappointment with the incident.

BMTC’s Response

In response to the viral video and public outcry, BMTC took immediate action. The corporation issued a statement confirming the suspension of the bus conductor involved. According to the announcement, “BMTC bus Conductor from Depot 32 (Surya City) while on duty on route 500 DC/7 had misbehaved with the passenger by name Sri Abhinav Raj for Rs.5/- change at 21:40 PM. Due to his misbehaviour with the public, he was suspended with immediate effect on date 08-08-2024.”

Broader Implications

This incident underscores the importance of professional conduct and respectful behaviour in public service roles. BMTC’s prompt action reflects a commitment to addressing grievances and maintaining public trust. Such incidents also highlight the need for sensitivity towards diverse language backgrounds in a multicultural city like Bengaluru.

Conclusion

The suspension of the BMTC bus conductor following the assault incident serves as a reminder of the importance of respectful interaction between public service employees and passengers. BMTC’s quick response aims to uphold the standards of conduct expected from its staff and reassure the public of its commitment to addressing misconduct.