Bike taxi riders in Bengaluru were detained for protesting the High Court-imposed ban on services. They demanded a clear policy and government support to resume operations.
Bengaluru: On Saturday, a group of bike taxi riders gathered outside the Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru to protest against the suspension of bike taxi services in Karnataka. The protest was held following a directive by the Karnataka High Court that had put a stop to such services across the state.
However, the police quickly detained the protesting riders and moved them away from the site, as they had assembled without prior permission.
The riders were demanding urgent intervention from the Karnataka government. They urged the authorities to remove the ban and instead bring in a proper set of rules that would regulate the operation of bike taxis in the state.
The police said,
“They sought urgent government intervention to lift the blanket ban and introduce a regulatory framework to govern bike taxi services,”
The police confirmed that a case has been registered against the protestors. They were accused of breaking official rules and holding a protest without permission in a high-security zone.
An officer said,
“A case has also been registered against them for violating guidelines and attempting to protest in front of Vidhana Soudha without any prior permission,”
Bike taxi riders expressed deep concern over the ongoing ban and said that thousands of people who depend on this work are now jobless.
They asked the government to bring in a proper policy that balances safety, regulation, and employment.
The report noted,
“The riders urged the state government to introduce a clear policy that would allow them to resume operations while addressing safety and regulatory concerns,”
They explained that bike taxis play a vital role in Karnataka’s transport system. These services not only help passengers reach their destinations faster but also provide employment to thousands of youth and daily wage earners.
“They stressed that bike taxis are an important part of Karnataka’s transport ecosystem, providing jobs to thousands. Riders believe that with the right rules in place, bike taxis can continue to benefit everyone.”
The current issue began earlier this year when the Karnataka High Court passed an order suspending bike taxi operations.
On April 2, a single-judge bench directed companies like Uber, Ola, and Rapido to stop their bike taxi services unless the state government notifies proper rules under the Motor Vehicles Act.
The court gave the companies six weeks to follow this order, and the deadline was later extended until June 15.
The affected companies, including Uber India Systems Pvt Ltd, ANI Technologies Pvt Ltd (which operates Ola), and Roppen Transportation Services Pvt Ltd (which operates Rapido), approached the division bench of the Karnataka High Court to challenge this decision.
However, the division bench, headed by Acting Chief Justice V Kameshwar Rao and Justice Sreenivas Harish Kumar, refused to interfere and declined to put a stay on the earlier order.
“Earlier this month, a division bench of the Karnataka High Court refused to stay an earlier single-judge order that suspended bike taxi services in the state. The division bench, comprising Acting Chief Justice V Kameshwar Rao and Justice Sreenivas Harish Kumar, was hearing appeals filed by Uber India Systems Pvt Ltd, ANI Technologies Pvt Ltd (which operates Ola), and Roppen Transportation Services Pvt Ltd (which operates Rapido), among others.”
“The companies had challenged the April 2 ruling that directed them to halt bike taxi services within six weeks. The deadline was later extended till June 15. The single judge had observed that such services cannot operate unless the state government notifies specific rules and guidelines under the Motor Vehicles Act.”
With the court refusing to stay the suspension, and the state yet to notify clear rules for bike taxis, thousands of riders now find themselves stuck.
They are calling for quick government action to bring clarity and support to the industry that not only helps the public but also provides much-needed income to many families.
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