Language tensions and overcharging by auto-rickshaw drivers are two issues that Bengaluru residents are, unfortunately, becoming all too familiar with. Yet again, the city finds itself at the center of this debate after a video of a heated argument between a woman and an auto-rickshaw driver went viral online.
The video, posted by a woman named Anya S, shows her confronting the driver for allegedly demanding Rs 390 for a ride that, according to her Rapido app, was supposed to cost Rs 296. In the clip, Anya can be heard standing her ground, telling the driver, “Don’t scream at me. I’ll only pay what the app says.”
At one point, clearly feeling uneasy, she tries to call over another auto-rickshaw driver, saying, “Aap yahan aao, mujhe darr lag raha hai (Come here, I’m feeling scared).”
Anya later uploaded the full video to Instagram, adding a heartfelt note in the caption. “This isn’t about refusing to learn the local language – of course I want to learn Kannada. But when people behave like this, it makes me question myself. It makes me think, why should I make the effort when they don’t know how to treat me with basic respect?”
She made it clear she wasn’t against paying extra when deserved, writing, “I’m someone who happily pays extra when I’ve had a good ride. But not when someone tries to bully or threaten me into it.” Her larger point was about belonging – “We’re part of this city. We live here, we work here, we contribute to its economy. And that means we deserve fairness, dignity, and safety – no matter what language we speak.”
“If you’ve ever felt unsafe or second-guessed yourself in moments like this – you are not wrong. You are not alone. And you have every right to say no,” she wrote.
Watch the video:
As the video racked up over a million views, reactions poured in. Rapido itself responded, assuring action: “At Rapido, customer safety and dignity are our highest priorities, Anya… the reported captain has been permanently barred from our platform. Additionally, we are working on implementing stronger protocols for our captains to prevent such incidents in the future.”
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Wanting to avoid the usual North vs South divide, Anya addressed it head-on in the comments: “This isn’t about North vs South, or locals vs outsiders. It’s about being fair to one another, no matter where we’re from… Let’s build a space where respect goes both ways, and experiences can be shared without creating rifts.”
Bengaluru locals also reacted to the post. One commented, “I want to apologize for the unacceptable behavior of some individuals who are tarnishing our reputation… On behalf of all educated Kannadigas, we extend our sincerest apologies. Hope you’re safe and okay.” Others echoed frustration about rising aggression and language policing, asking, “Are we seriously going to start fighting over language too? How low can it get?”
Unfortunately, this isn’t an isolated incident. Just a few months ago, another Instagram user shared a similar ordeal with a Rapido auto-rickshaw driver demanding extra money, hurling abuses when denied.
