A Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) bus driver has come into the eye of a storm after a video showed him stopping on his official route to offer namaz. This allegedly caused delays and inconvenience to passengers.
The now-viral footage shows the uniformed KSRTC employee offering namaz inside the parked bus while commuters wait for the trip to resume. The incident, which unfolded in the Haveri district, elicited sharp reactions online. Many questioned the appropriateness of religious activities during work hours, especially while operating a government service.
The Karnataka Transport Department has taken note of the video and has ordered an investigation into the incident. Authorities said further action will be taken based on the findings of the inquiry report.
This isn’t the first time such an incident has sparked public debate in the state. In July 2023, a similar controversy erupted in Bengaluru when a woman passenger objected to a Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) conductor wearing a skull cap while on duty. The passenger demanded that he remove the cap, arguing that visible religious symbols were inappropriate for government employees.
The conductor, who explained he had worn the cap for years without issue, ultimately complied. That encounter was captured on video and circulated widely, drawing mixed reactions from the public.