Lucknow: A 30-year-old Dalit cab driver in Lucknow has alleged that a ride-hailing platform suspended his account for “99 years and 11 months” after he asked four passengers to get out of his vehicle for repeatedly using casteist slurs during a journey earlier this week.Ankit Kumar, a diploma holder in mechanical engineering who drives a cab to support his family, said he had no prior acquaintance with the passengers and did not know their caste or religion. According to him, the dispute arose after the passengers allegedly made repeated derogatory remarks about a senior officer, referring to his caste and questioning his competence.The incident occurred on Monday morning after Ankit picked up four passengers from Utrahtia railway station for a ride to Charbagh railway station.“The passengers were initially abusing a senior officer. I did not interfere until they started repeatedly using casteist slurs and linking the officer’s abilities to his caste,” Ankit told TOI on Sunday when he claimed that his licence had been suspended.A resident of the PGI area in the city, Ankit said he repeatedly urged the passengers to stop using caste-based slurs and reminded them that a person’s capability had nothing to do with caste. “I requested them several times to withdraw their remarks, but they continued,” he said.Claiming he belongs to the community that was being targeted in the conversation, Ankit said he eventually stopped his cab near Telibagh market and asked all four passengers to deboard.A video of the confrontation later surfaced on social media and was widely shared. In the footage, Ankit is seen arguing with the passengers over the alleged casteist comments.According to Ankit, an argument broke out after the passengers got off the vehicle, attracting local residents. He alleged that he was verbally abused during the confrontation, which took place near a police outpost.Following the video’s circulation, Ankit said he has been receiving abusive and threatening messages on social media.“People are questioning why I objected and asked the passengers to leave. I have been receiving threats and abusive messages ever since the video went viral,” he said.Ankit further alleged that the ride-hailing platform suspended his driver account after the passengers lodged a complaint, without first seeking his version of events.“The company did not contact me before taking action. My account now shows a suspension period of 99 years and 11 months,” he claimed.The suspension has hit Ankit’s livelihood hard, he said. He is the sole earning member in his family. His father works as a daily-wage labourer, while his mother is a homemaker.The ride-hailing platform’s response to the allegations could not be immediately ascertained.
