Suspended for 100 Years for Objecting to Casteist Slurs, BSP Coordinator Akash Anand Says: “Companies Like Rapido Are Afflicted by the Same Mentality We Have Been Fighting for a Century”

Lucknow - BSP National Coordinator Akash Anand on Sunday strongly reacted to the case of Dalit Rapido driver Ankit Kumar, who was suspended for 99 years and 11 months after he asked four railway employees to get down from his cab for making casteist remarks.

In a detailed post, Akash Anand said Ankit Kumar’s viral video raises serious questions about India’s social system. Ankit, a mechanical engineering diploma holder, could not find a government job matching his qualification and was forced to drive a Rapido cab to support his family. During a ride from Utrahtia to Charbagh railway station in Lucknow, four railway employees sitting in his cab allegedly made casteist comments against their own Dalit senior officer.

Ankit objected and asked them to stop. When they continued, he stopped the vehicle near Telibagh and made them deboard. According to Akash Anand, Ankit questioned the passengers: “If you have a problem with someone’s capability, take their name. Why are you defaming the entire caste?” Ankit had posted the video of the altercation which went viral over the social media. Instead of support, Rapido suspended Ankit’s account for 99 years and 11 months without seeking his version of the incident. Immediately after knowing about the suspension Ankit posted another video, narrating his ordeal.

According to Ankit, an argument broke out after the passengers got off the vehicle, attracting local residents. He alleged that he was verbally abused during the confrontation, which took place near a police outpost. Following the video's circulation, Ankit said he has been receiving abusive and threatening messages on social media. "People are questioning why I objected and asked the passengers to leave. I have been receiving threats and abusive messages ever since the video went viral," he said. Ankit also said that what hurt him most is that Rapido did not give him even a fair chance to explain or narrate what had happened and the suspension came unilaterally.

Akash Anand said the suspension has snatched away the livelihood of a man who was only trying to protect his dignity and the respect of his community. He further linked the incident to the larger debate on reservation, stating that even 80 years after Independence, casteist mentality continues to hold deep roots in society. Reservation, he said, is not merely for economic empowerment but for social transformation.

Akash Anand also referred to RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s views on reservation and urged him to answer the questions raised by crores of Dalits like Ankit. Quoting BSP leader Mayawati, he said the Constitution framed by Babasaheb Dr B.R. Ambedkar must be respected and sensitive issues like reservation should not be used for politics.

The incident has sparked widespread debate on social media over caste discrimination, the rights of gig workers, and the accountability of ride-hailing platforms.

From a legal perspective, both sides have some valid points in this case. Ankit Kumar’s decision to ask the passengers to get out of the car can generally be considered justified, as any service provider has the right to refuse service to passengers who use casteist abuse or engage in indecent behaviour. On the other hand, a platform company like Rapido has the authority under its rules and terms of service to take action against a captain when a complaint is received.

However, a suspension of nearly 100 years is such a severe penalty that, according to the principles of natural justice, Ankit should have been given an opportunity to present his side. The company’s unilateral action without issuing any notice or seeking his clarification raises procedural questions. Ultimately, the determination of who is right or wrong can only become clear after a thorough investigation of the facts and after hearing both parties.