Daijiworld Media Network - Haveri

Haveri, May 1: A Karnataka RTC bus driver-cum-conductor has drawn public attention after allegedly stopping the vehicle mid-journey to perform namaz, with a video of the incident going viral on social media platforms.

The incident occurred on Tuesday evening on a KSRTC bus operating between Hangal and Vishalgarh. According to sources, the driver halted the bus between Hubballi and Haveri, and offered namaz while seated on a passenger seat behind the driver’s area.

A fellow commuter recorded the act and uploaded the footage to social media, where it quickly gained traction and sparked widespread debate.

The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) has not yet issued an official statement regarding the matter. However, several right-wing organisations have criticised the driver’s actions, stating that public service duties should not be interrupted for personal religious practices. They have urged the transport authorities to initiate disciplinary proceedings.

The controversy follows a string of incidents recently involving KSRTC staff, which have raised concerns about operational conduct.

Earlier, a conductor attached to the Kanakapura depot was suspended after a video surfaced showing an unauthorised person issuing tickets to passengers onboard a KSRTC bus. The video, which showed an individual not in uniform handling the conductor’s responsibilities, prompted KSRTC to file a police complaint. An FIR has been registered, and the matter is under investigation.

In another recent case in Mangaluru, a contract conductor was arrested after allegedly molesting a woman passenger on a moving KSRTC bus. The incident took place on the Mudipu–State Bank route and was captured on camera by another passenger. The footage, once circulated online, led to swift police action and the conductor’s arrest.

The KSRTC has been facing increased scrutiny over staff accountability, especially after a series of such viral incidents.