Video of auto drivers charging based on language sparks outrage in Bengaluru

A viral Instagram video has stirred controversy in Bengaluru, showing auto drivers allegedly charging different fares based on the language spoken by passengers. The video features two women who approach auto drivers in the city, one speaking in Hindi and the other in Kannada, with starkly different results.

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In the video, when the woman speaking in Hindi attempts to negotiate a fare, the driver rejects her request. In contrast, the woman speaking in Kannada is welcomed by the same driver. When both women approach a second auto driver for a ride to Indiranagar, the Hindi-speaking woman is quoted a fare of ₹300, while the Kannada-speaking woman is offered a fare of ₹200. 

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The video has sparked a flurry of mixed reactions on social media. Many users expressed frustration with the discrimination, with one commenting, "That’s why they are running out of business and Rapido is taking over." Others pointed to the rise of app-based ride services like Ola, Uber, and Rapido as a response to such practices, with one user writing, "Then they cry why people prefer Ola, Uber, Rapido, etc."

The incident highlights growing concerns over the treatment of non-Kannada speakers in the city and raises questions about fair pricing in Bengaluru’s auto rickshaw services.