UPSRTC Driver Suspended for Halting Bus to Allow Namaz and blocking road, Conductor Removed.
In a recent incident that took place on June 3, a driver employed by the Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) was suspended for halting a Delhi-bound “Janrath” bus. The driver, identified as Krishna Pal Singh, stopped the bus on National Highway-24 in the Milak area of Rampur district to allow two Muslim passengers to offer namaz (Islamic prayer) on the road. The incident caused discontent among other passengers, leading to a viral video and subsequent social media complaints.
The video, recorded by a passenger named Satyendra, captured the moment when the bus came to an unexpected halt at around 8:25 p.m., shortly after leaving the Bareilly terminal at 7 p.m. Satyendra tweeted the video, expressing his objection to the Muslim passengers performing namaz in front of the halted bus. He also reported the incident to the Assistant Regional Manager (ARM), Station Manager (SM), and Regional Manager (RM) of the Bareilly Depot.
The video gained significant attention as it circulated online. In the footage, the two Muslim passengers can be seen engaging in prayer while other passengers voice their discontent towards the conductor for stopping the bus. The conductor, meanwhile, is heard urging passengers not to create division between Hindus and Muslims. Concerns were raised by the passengers regarding their safety, as the bus was stopped at a secluded location during the night.
In response to the incident, Sanjeev Kumar Srivastava, the Assistant Regional Manager (ARM) of UPSRTC in Bareilly, launched an investigation. Following the investigation, both the driver, Krishna Pal Singh, and the co-driver, Mohit Yadav, had their employment with UPSRTC terminated. The conductor, who was a contractual employee, was also removed from service.
The Rampur police have taken notice of the incident as well and have initiated their own probe. They have assigned the investigation to the Deputy SP of Milak Circle, and have assured that appropriate legal action will be taken. The police stated on Twitter that they are thoroughly investigating the matter and will take necessary action based on the findings.
In response to the incident, Vishwa Hindu Parishad’s national spokesperson, Vinod Bansal, voiced his concerns on Twitter, demanding action and drawing attention to the need for timely transportation services. He directed his tweet to the Chief Minister’s Office of Uttar Pradesh, emphasizing the importance of addressing such incidents promptly.
The incident has sparked a debate on social media, with various reactions and opinions being expressed. While some argue that allowing prayer on a public road disrupts the flow of transportation, others believe that the act was a display of religious tolerance and humanity.
It remains to be seen how UPSRTC and the authorities will address this incident and take steps to prevent similar occurrences in the future. As the investigations proceed, the public eagerly awaits a resolution to this matter that respects the concerns and rights of all stakeholders involved.