Bullies on Mumbai’s Streets

The only people who profit from frequent autorickshaw strikes are auto union leaders

On 17 April, the people of Maharashtra will wake up to chaos and anger. Major autorickshaw unions in the state have announced an indefinite strike from the midnight of 16 April. This time, autorickshaw drivers are protesting a High Court directive to install electronic meters.

This strike call has made it clear that autorickshaw drivers don’t want fair business practices. Electronic meters will not be money spinners, unlike current ones, which can be rigged to show higher fares. The autorickshaw unions will appeal in the Supreme Court against the order. It will be interesting to see their reaction if the apex court upholds the ruling of the High Court.

The past has been a silent witness to the bullying tactics of autorickshaw unions. Governments in Maharashtra, whether of the Congress-NCP alliance or the Shiv Sena-BJP combine, have been reluctant to take a strong stand against them. Traffic beat constables are friendly with the drivers, so com- plaints by the public go largely unheard.

Some policemen have tried to discipline autorickshaw drivers, but the most they do is seize their licence.

Some of the drivers’ demands are reasonable. Costs of living have indeed gone up, and this justifies their demand for higher fares. But their resistance to electronic meters has no grounds. And their bullying methods too are unacceptable. The state has to intervene and initiate action against the leaders of these unions, many of whom are connected to politicians and political parties. Strong political will is needed to take on people like autorickshaw union leader Sharad Rao, who have made a business of such strikes. Rao belongs to the NCP. Its leader, Sharad Pawar, has never disciplined him. In Mumbai, Rao’s strike calls have become a part of daily living. It has become a bi-annual event, once in the summer and once in the winter.

In all the strikes that Rao has initiated, there has hardly been a positive outcome. Except that he himself has become wealthier. The 17 April call too will benefit neither the public nor autorickshaw drivers. Financial losses will be higher for the latter. Poorer autorickshaw drivers are against this strike call as it will rob them off their daily income. But Rao doesn’t seem to care.

Maharashtra is headed the way of West Bengal and Kerala, where strikes are common. Visit Mumbai’s Azad Maidan and there is always someone on strike. The economic status of Maharashtra is far from satisfactory. Frequent strike calls reduce productivity even more.

About The Author

Haima Deshpande