BMTC Conductor Suspended For Assaulting Passenger Over ₹5 Change, Demanding Kannada

A Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) bus conductor has been suspended after a video showing him assaulting a passenger over ₹5 in change went viral on social media. The video also captured the conductor insisting that the passenger speak in Kannada when he requested the change.

In the video, Abhinav, the passenger, raised a complaint about the change issue, but the conductor interrupted, demanding that he speak in Kannada. The conductor was also heard saying, "Record a video and show it to whomever you want," before assaulting Abhinav.

Abhinav, who is new to Bengaluru, expressed his disappointment, stating, "As someone who has lived in Bengaluru for less than a year, I have participated in various social work initiatives to give back to the city. For the conductor to use language as an excuse to become violent or abusive is unacceptable."

In response to the viral video, BMTC issued a suspension notice for the conductor. The official statement read, "The BMTC bus conductor from Depot 32 (Surya City), while on duty on route 500 DC/7, misbehaved with passenger Sri Abhinav Raj over ₹5 in change at 21:40 PM. Due to his misconduct with the public, he was suspended with immediate effect on 08-08-2024."