App-based cab drivers across Gurugram have brought services to a standstill today, March 23, as they strike to demand mandatory KYC (Know Your Customer) verification for all passengers. The protest, which involved drivers gathering at Sector 46 on Saturday, was prompted by a series of violent assaults and threats that have left the driving community feeling threatened.
The crux of the drivers’ complaint is that there is a double standard being applied to their safety. While drivers are required to go through rigorous background checks and verification, passengers can book rides under fake profiles. Preet Kumar, one of the protesters, questioned why the same level of scrutiny isn't applied to those entering their vehicles. "What about our safety?" he asked, noting that the lack of accountability emboldens those who intend to harass or rob drivers.
The sense of urgency behind this industrial action is fuelled by the memory of Suraj Singh, a 25-year-old driver who was strangled to death inside his own car this past January after picking up passengers in Sector 37. The drivers contend that existing safety features, such as SOS buttons within apps, are not effective and do not provide timely assistance to them during life-threatening confrontations.
Apart from this immediate threat of violence, the strikers have complained that there was a total absence of a grievance redressal system. Many reported that even when they are subjected to verbal abuse or minor physical altercations, there is no clear channel to report the incident or ensure the problematic passenger is barred from the platform.
The strike has already begun to bite for local commuters. Residents in areas like Sector 38 reported significant delays on Saturday and today, with typical one-minute booking times stretching to 15 minutes or more as the number of available vehicles on the road plummeted.
Also read: E-KYC mandatory for domestic LPG users amid supply crunch
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