Bigotry is cancer for this world, yet somehow, it’s bearing under hushed tones and within extreme groups. However, over the weekend a man’s tweet announced its prevalence out in the public and in the worst light possible.
Abhishek Mishra, a UP-based social media advisor of Vishwa Hindu Parishad, on Friday, tweeted how he cancelled his Ola cab because the driver assigned to him was a Muslim man. He wrote, “Cancelled @Olacabs Booking because Driver was Muslim. I don’t want to give my money to Jihadi People.” Not just a tweet he even screenshotted the cancellation to show the proof of his thinking.
Cancelled @Olacabs Booking because Driver was Muslim. I don't want to give my money to Jihadi People. pic.twitter.com/1IIf4LlTZL
— Abhishek Mishra (@Abhishek_Mshra) April 20, 2018
As expected the tweet and his very decision didn’t sit well with the Twitterati and anyone who actually read it. Mishra’s tweet evoked a certain outrage among the people who demanded suspension of his account with both Ola and Twitter. He was also trolled by many for inciting hatred and communal sentiments.
Here are some of the reactions Mishra’s tweet gathered.
Kya ghatiya soch hai aapki
Thuuuu— Anaab Shanaab – Ek Farmer (@Anaab_Shanaab) April 22, 2018
A person who is rightfully earning his livelihood and you are calling him a jehadi! Wow mishra ji
— Rohit Arora✪ (@Rohit88_) April 22, 2018
Wah bhai bahut accha kiya tune.. Chal ab utha Qutub Minar, Taj Mahal, Lal Quila, Mysore Palace, Mughal Garden aur utha ke phenk India se bahar aur nahi phenk sakta to kar har Hindu ki entry ban usme but woh karega nahi kyu ki Teri itni aukat nahi.
— Jaane bhi do Yaro (@mat_jane_de_yar) April 22, 2018
Teko bas baith ke jana tha, apne behen ki shaadi nahi karani thi us se.
— deku (@wickedjohnie) April 22, 2018
U r reason y there is enemity within religion & more over caste discrimination. U r kind of ppl who carry the bad part of the hindu religion
— 🇮🇳 Kush 🇮🇳 (@kusprasad) April 22, 2018
Don’t discriminate based on religion. When I get Hindu driver or Christian or whatever doesn’t matter. Use your drive as an opportunity to connect with your community, not divide. I’m sure the driver and you have more in common than you think.
— Kamz K (@TuneInfinity) April 21, 2018
Bhai Rickshaw mein chalo Sab Petrol Muslim Countries se aata hain India ka!!
— FreedomJeevi (@freedoomer) April 22, 2018
@Olacabs requesting Ola to ban this guy immediately from ur passenger list and black list him 👇or Ola should tell us they encourage this behaviour o discrimination towards their drivers. https://t.co/HyiDSQyI64
— Midhat kidwai (@midhatkidwai) April 22, 2018
Dear @Olacabs, if u don't believe in racial or religious discrimination of your employees, please block this moron's Ola account. https://t.co/OqhucFRNrK
— Kapil (@kapsology) April 22, 2018
So this bigot who cancelled Ola ride coz driver was a Muslim, is a SM consultant at Ministry of Transport, @UPGovt ! And previously was with Ministry of Commerce, GOI ! Do we expect any action by @myogiadityanath ? pic.twitter.com/v38MeCddRd
— कोमल 🙂 🇮🇳 (@Komal_Indian) April 22, 2018
With such an outrage, the cab service – Ola – was compelled for a reply and they gave a fitting one to Mishra. Over their tweet, they stated, ”Ola, like our country, is a secular platform, and we don’t discriminate our driver partners or customers basis their caste, religion, gender or creed. We urge all our customers and driver partners to treat each other with respect at all times.”
Ola, like our country, is a secular platform, and we don't discriminate our driver partners or customers basis their caste, religion, gender or creed. We urge all our customers and driver partners to treat each other with respect at all times.
— Ola (@Olacabs) April 22, 2018
Ola’s reactionary tweet to the situation was not just a fitting reply but also cleared out the authentic fundamentals of our country.
Interestingly, Mishra is followed on Twitter by bigwigs like Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Minister of Culture Mahesh Sharma and many others.
Abhishek Mishra even came forward to defend himself from the flak and said, “If they (Muslims) can run a campaign against Hanuman ji poster on cab… then they must be prepared for a reply.”
Jyotsna Amla