Karnataka Congress calls objection to bus conductor wearing cap ‘moral policing’
Bengaluru (IANS). The Karnataka Congress has termed the incident of a woman passenger objecting to a Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) bus conductor wearing a headgear while on duty as a case of moral policing.
The debate has started as soon as a video of the incident went viral.
Congress national spokesperson Lavanya Ballal Jain said, “All women should take advantage of the Shakti Yojana (free bus travel for women). Please stop harassing employees who are busy with work. This is unnecessary and moral policing. We The issue has been brought to the notice of our Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy.”
The viral video shows the woman asking whether the bus conductor, a Muslim, is authorized to wear a cap. She also keeps arguing with him while making videos. The conductor calmly answers all her questions. He says that he has been wearing the cap for 10 years and no one has ever asked or questioned him about it.
The woman asked him whether the rule allowed him to wear a cap. Finally the conductor says that he will bring the matter to the notice of the Managing Director of BMTC.
The woman preached to him saying that he should keep the religious practices at home and not bring them to the public place.
The video has sparked a debate and has taken a communal colour. People have supported both the woman and the conductor. However, the patience and calm response of the conductor has been appreciated.