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Bengaluru: In a distressing incident that has sparked widespread outrage, a Bengaluru bus conductor was suspended following his arrest for assaulting a woman passenger amid a heated argument over ticket issuance. The altercation, captured on video by a fellow passenger, quickly escalated, leading to the conductor physically attacking the woman. This event took place on a bus from Bilekahalli to Shivajinagar, highlighting serious concerns regarding passenger safety and staff conduct within public transportation.
The occurrence occurred on a Tuesday morning at approximately 10 am, when 24-year-old Tanzula Ismail Peerzade, a retail shop employee, boarded the BMTC bus at Bilekahalli. An argument broke out between Peerzade and the bus conductor, Honnappa Nagappa Agasar, after he allegedly refused to issue her a ticket. The verbal dispute took a physical turn when the conductor assaulted Peerzade. The entire altercation was filmed by another passenger, and the footage soon went viral on social media, leading to public outcry and immediate action by the authorities.
Slap-Kalesh b/w a Woman and Conductor inside BMTC bus Bengaluru KA
pic.twitter.com/xBWlAxwsO3— Ghar Ke Kalesh (@gharkekalesh) March 27, 2024
After the incident, the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) issued a statement announcing the suspension of Honnappa Nagappa Agasar. The corporation emphasized its commitment to passenger safety, especially for women, and detailed the measures it has taken to prevent such incidents in the future, including gender sensitization training for its staff. Meanwhile, the public’s reaction to the viral video has ignited a broader conversation about the safety of women in public spaces and the accountability of public service employees.
In response to the attack, Tanzula Ismail Peerzade filed a complaint with the Siddapura police, which led to Agasar’s arrest. The case has drawn attention to the importance of ensuring a safe and respectful environment for all passengers using public transport, especially women.
Community leaders and activists have called for strict enforcement of conduct guidelines for public transport staff and better safety mechanisms for passengers to prevent such incidents in future.
The incident is a reminder of the challenges faced by women in public spaces and the urgent need for systemic changes to ensure their safety and dignity. The prompt action taken by BMTC and law enforcement is a step in the right direction, but it also underlines the need for continued efforts to sensitize public service providers about gender issues and the importance of respectful interaction with all passengers.
