A woman involved in a heated altercation with an autorickshaw driver in Bellandur, Bengaluru, publicly apologised on Sunday after hitting him with her slipper. The apology, captured on video, took place in front of bystanders who also guided her to express remorse in Kannada.
“I didn’t mean to act that way. I’m expecting a child and feared harm to my baby. That fear caused my reaction. I deeply admire Bengaluru, its people, and Kannada culture,” the remorseful woman said, hands folded.
She and her husband conveyed their regret, repeatedly affirming their respect for the city, its residents, and especially auto drivers. Onlookers insisted that the couple apologise in Kannada, offering prompts to help them convey sincerity in the local language.
The confrontation occurred around 4 p.m. on Saturday, near a traffic signal in southeastern Bengaluru. As per the autorickshaw driver, Lokesh, the incident stemmed from a traffic disagreement when the woman, approaching on a two-wheeler from the left, accused him of hitting her vehicle during a lane merge — a claim he denies.
Eyewitnesses recounted that the woman became aggressive, verbally attacked Lokesh, and, upon seeing him filming, removed her footwear and hit him. She reportedly dared him to continue recording while continuing the assault.
The viral video sparked widespread criticism, prompting the couple’s public apology and plea for forgiveness from the Kannada community.
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