The mundane act of booking an intercity cab turned into a shocking ordeal for senior oncologist Dr. AK Pathan in Mumbai when the cab driver demanded that he chant “Jai Shree Ram” to confirm the trip. Dr. Pathan, attempting to travel to Nashik for a weekend wedding, was taken aback by the unexpected request from the driver, who communicated via the InDrive app.
Refusing to engage with the driver’s demand, Dr. Pathan chose not to respond and ultimately decided against taking the ride. He viewed the incident as a troubling indication of growing intolerance within society and emphasized the importance of promoting understanding and acceptance among diverse communities.
Recalling the encounter, Dr. Pathan recounted how he had requested the driver to pick him up from Haji Ali in the afternoon, only to receive a response insisting that he chant ‘Jai Shree Ram’ to confirm the booking. Despite stating that he had no issue with the chant itself, Dr. Pathan stressed that such religious salutations should not be imposed forcefully.
The text message from the cab driver, which read, “Sir Ram Bhakt Sanatani Hu Jay Shree Ram Bolna Padega To – Confirm Karu,” highlighted the driver’s insistence on the chant as a condition for confirming the ride.
Attempting to address the situation by reporting it through the InDrive app’s support option, Dr. Pathan found that the cab driver had cancelled the ride, further exacerbating the distressing experience.
In response to Dr. Pathan’s complaint, the online cab aggregator issued an apology, acknowledging the driver’s intolerance and insensitivity towards other faiths while accepting rides. They assured Dr. Pathan that appropriate action would be taken against the errant driver and pledged to conduct training workshops for drivers and transport partners to promote tolerance and respect for all faiths.
Dr. Pathan emphasized the need for building a more inclusive society through dialogue and empathy, prioritizing respect and compassion in all interactions. As a veteran oncologist, he recognized the importance of fostering understanding and acceptance to counteract the rising tide of intolerance in society.
