Indiranagar's bustling streets, known for their lively and high traffic and vibrant lifestyle, were the scene of an ugly display of “hooliganism” this past week. In a road rage episode that brought out once again the increasing disdain for civics by some of the city's urban commuters, a BMTC bus driver came under verbal harassment and obscene gestures from a young bike rider.
The Confrontation
It happened on a busy stretch close to the Indiranagar main road during hours of high traffic. The motorcyclist reportedly felt “cut off” by the large BMTC bus according to witnesses as well as video footage recorded by onlookers. Rather than let it go or contact the authorities, the rider decided to take the law into his own hands.
The biker allegedly sped up, dangerously veered in front of the bus, and forced the driver to slam on the brakes to alleviate some of the anxiety felt by the dozens of passengers on the bus. When the bus stopped, the rider wouldn't move his vehicle and the public transport operator was essentially being impeded at the center of a high traffic area.
Obscene Gestures and Verbal Abuse
What ensued was filmed and has now triggered widespread outrage online. The rider, seated on his bike, looked back toward the driver’s cabin and flashed his middle finger over and over, followed by a barrage of verbal insults. The driver even tried to remain calm and told the rider to clear the way; the young man carried on the “rowdy-like” behavior for a few minutes.
The driver, who was a longtime employee of the BMTC, appeared to be attempting to de-escalate the action but the biker’s aggressive stance did not allow the bus to restart, resulting in a major traffic jam behind the bus.
Public and Authority Response
When the video of the “middle finger” incident went viral, trending across X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram, the netizens were quick to condemn the rider. Many said BMTC drivers are already working in high-stress environments, facing narrow roads with lots of traffic, and these folks shouldn’t deserve this embarrassment.
Indiranagar Police has noted the incident. Although a formal complaint by the BMTC is anticipated, police have created a procedure to identify the rider based on the registration number of the vehicle noted in the viral video. “Misbehavior with public servants on duty is a serious offense. Blocking a public transport bus annoys the driver and hampers people, in excess of hundreds. We are investigating it and would take harsh action against the culprit,” said a senior traffic police official.
A Growing Trend of Impatience
This is not an isolated incident. Bengaluru has witnessed increasing clashes between private vehicle-owners and BMTC/KSRTC drivers over last few months. The 'entitlement' culture that's permeating the roads, social activists claim, is approaching a breaking point, and harsher penalties for harassment on public transport staff are in order. BMTC Union's also called for better protection for drivers, arguing that more buses need internal and external dashcams to prove irrefutable evidence in this type of incident.
