A recently circulated video on social media depicts a heated confrontation between an Uber driver and a Pakistani passenger, with tensions escalating over perceived disrespect towards India. The incident occurred late on the night of August 10, when the driver abruptly abandoned the duo—a Pakistani male and an Indian woman—in the middle of Delhi.
In the footage, the driver can be heard shouting, "Yes, you are Pakistani *. Yes, and you are too," directing his ire towards the passengers. The woman, who was recording the altercation, responded by pointing out that they had been left stranded at 12:30 AM. The situation intensified when the driver insulted them further, saying, "Halala ki aulad ho tum log" (You all are offsprings of Halala), which only fueled the conflict.
According to reports from The Observer Post, the driver became enraged after overhearing a conversation in which the Pakistani passenger referred to the people of Delhi as “matlabparast” (selfish). The woman later clarified that her friend was merely sharing his observations about life in Delhi compared to Pakistan, a comment that the driver found offensive. The video captures the moment when the driver admonished the male passenger to "control his words."
Uber driver in Delhi threw a Pakistani & his female friend out from his car after they started abusing India & Indians in Delhi.
— DrVedu (@DrVedu) August 11, 2024
They were calling Indians Selfish, so he asked her not to use such words, she refused.
Driver then refused to drop them & left them on road. pic.twitter.com/VHz5ARo34Y
In the aftermath, the woman attributed the incident to a rising "Hindutva" ideology in India, expressing her concerns through Instagram posts and tagging Uber India. However, Uber has yet to respond to the controversy. Following the incident, she deactivated her Instagram account.
You don’t need to hold a high position to love your country. This Uber driver rightfully removed a girl and her Pakistani bf from his cab when they were disrespecting Delhi & Bharat. His actions prove that patriotism doesn’t require power or authority; it comes from the heart. 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/mFoByyEUBw
— Neha Beniwal (@nehabeniwal21) August 11, 2024
The video quickly gained traction online, eliciting a range of reactions. Many users praised the driver for his actions, with some calling for his contact information to express their support. Comments ranged from viewing him as a patriot standing up for national pride to labeling him a "national hero." One user remarked on how the driver risked his job to confront what they perceived as disrespectful behavior from the passengers. Overall, the incident has sparked a significant discussion about national identity and respect within the context of contemporary Indian society.
Image Source: Twitter