A controversy involving a Rapido cab driver and four passengers in Lucknow has sparked a major debate online after the driver alleged that passengers made casteist remarks during a ride.
The driver, identified as Ankit Kumar, claimed that he confronted the passengers and asked them to leave his vehicle after the conversation allegedly turned caste-based.
What Happened Inside The Cab?
According to Kumar, he picked up four passengers from Utrathiya railway station for a ride to Charbagh railway station.
He said the passengers were discussing a senior official and that he initially stayed out of the conversation. However, he alleged that the discussion later included casteist remarks.
Ankit Kumar, the cab driver who confronted four Indian Railways employees allegedly using casteist slur against a senior official in Lucknow, has been suspended for 99 years 11 months from Rapido. https://t.co/M8TMJipBPl pic.twitter.com/pJJYHs1XdH
— Piyush Rai (@Benarasiyaa) August 15, 2026
Kumar said he could not remain silent after hearing the alleged remarks and confronted the passengers.
Driver Says He Asked Passengers To Leave
In a video shared online, Kumar can be seen questioning the passengers over the alleged casteist comments.
He reportedly told them that nobody had the right to judge a person’s ability based on their caste and asked them to leave his vehicle.
The situation reportedly became heated, with Kumar saying that he would call the police.
Why Was The Driver Suspended?
Kumar later claimed that the passengers complained to Rapido following the incident.
According to his account, his driver account was subsequently suspended for 99 years and 11 months, with the suspension reportedly running until July 19, 2126.
Kumar alleged that Rapido did not first contact him to hear his side of the incident.
He also said the suspension had created financial difficulties because he is the primary breadwinner for his family.
Rapido Responds To The Controversy
The unusually long suspension period triggered strong reactions on social media, with many users demanding that the company investigate the incident from both sides.
However, based on the report provided, Rapido had not issued an official public statement explaining the suspension or giving its detailed response at the time of publication.
Therefore, the driver’s allegations and the online reactions should not be treated as a final finding about what happened.
Internet Reacts
Several social media users expressed support for Kumar, arguing that drivers should not face punishment for objecting to alleged casteist language.
Others called on Rapido to investigate the passengers’ conduct as well as the driver’s actions before reaching a conclusion.
The incident has now raised broader questions about how ride-hailing platforms handle disputes between drivers and passengers, particularly when allegations of discriminatory behaviour are involved.
Conclusion
The Lucknow cab dispute has become a talking point online because of the driver’s allegation that he was suspended for nearly a century after confronting passengers over alleged casteist remarks.
While the driver’s account has received significant attention, the full circumstances and Rapido’s reasoning for the suspension remain important parts of the story.