10 months ago
Kerala Minister Orders License Cancellations for Taxi Drivers Harassing Tourist
A tourist visiting Munnar, a popular spot in Kerala, had a bad experience when local taxi drivers threatened her Uber driver.
The tourist shared a video about this, saying she wouldn't visit Kerala again because of it.
Kerala's Transport Minister saw the video and called the drivers' actions 'goondaism' or bullying.
He promised that the licenses of the drivers involved would be cancelled once they are caught.
The minister also instructed transport officers to take immediate action.
Police have started an investigation, arrested two taxi drivers, and suspended two police officers who were accused of not helping the tourist and siding with the taxi drivers.
The minister emphasized that online taxi services are legal and should be allowed to operate without harassment.
Kerala Transport Minister K B Ganesh Kumar ordered the cancellation of licenses for taxi drivers accused of harassing a tourist in Munnar.
The incident involved local taxi drivers confronting and threatening a tourist and her online cab driver (Uber).
The tourist, Janvi, documented the harassment in a social media video, expressing disappointment and stating she would not return to Kerala.
Police registered a case under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, arrested two taxi drivers, and suspended two police officials who allegedly sided with the aggressors.
The minister condemned the actions as 'goondaism' and asserted that online taxi services like Uber are legal and operational in Kerala.
- Who
- Kerala Transport Minister K B Ganesh Kumar, a Mumbai-based tourist named Janvi, local taxi drivers, and police officials.
- What
- Harassment of a tourist by local taxi drivers who attempted to prevent her from using an online cab service (Uber), leading to the Minister's order to cancel licenses and police intervention.
- Where
- Munnar, Kerala.
- When
- Recently, with the Minister's statement and police actions occurring around November 4th.
- Why
- Alleged opposition from local taxi unions against the operation of online taxi services like Uber and Ola, which they perceive as a threat to their business.
Government and Tourist Perspective
Local Taxi Union Influence
Legality and Operation of Online Cabs
Government and Tourist Perspective
Kerala Transport Minister K B Ganesh Kumar stated that online taxi services like Uber are legal and operational in Kerala and India. He condemned the harassment of the tourist as 'goondaism' and assured that such actions would be dealt with legally.
Local Taxi Union Influence
The tourist reported that her host informed her that online taxis such as Uber and Ola were not permitted in Munnar due to opposition from local taxi unions. The incident involved local taxi drivers threatening her Uber driver.
Police Response
Government and Tourist Perspective
Police registered a case under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, arrested two taxi drivers, and suspended two police officials for allegedly siding with the aggressors. The minister vowed to take prompt action.
Local Taxi Union Influence
The harassed tourist alleged that when she called the police for assistance, they sided with the local taxi drivers, indicating a potential local bias or influence against online cab services.
Key facts
- Incident Location
- Munnar, Kerala
- Victim
- Janvi, a Mumbai-based tourist and assistant professor
- Alleged Perpetrators
- Local taxi drivers
- Minister's Directive
- Cancellation of licenses for accused taxi drivers
- Action Taken
- Case registered under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita; two taxi drivers arrested; two police officials suspended
- Date of Report/Action
- November 4th (Minister's statement and police action on Monday)
Quotes
KB Ganesh Kumar
Kerala Transport Minister
“Basically, the problem is the goondaism in Munnar. This goondaism happened when KSRTC introduced the double-decker buses. But, we dealt with it legally. We will now deal with all such issues legally.”
CNBC TV 18
“It is illegal. It should not happen again.”
CNBC TV 18
Janvi
Mumbai-based tourist and assistant professor
“While we were loading our bags, five or six men suddenly appeared, apparently they had been following us. They started threatening our cab driver, saying he could not take us.”
CNBC TV 18
