22 April 2018

National

‘Cancelled Ola Ride Because Driver Was A Muslim,’ Brags ‘VHP’ Man, Followed By Union Ministers, On Twitter

Ola reacted to it saying the company does not subscribe to the views of individuals who want to create disharmony by using its platform.





In what could be termed as an communal post, Abhishek Mishra, who claims to be a “Hindutva Thinker” associated with the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, sparked a debate after he tweeted saying he cancelled his Ola cab ride just because the driver was a Muslim.

However, sharply reacting to it, Ola said the company does not subscribe to the views of individuals who want to create disharmony by using its platform.

Abhishek Mishra, who has a verified handle, is followed by Narendra Modi Cabinet ministers, including Union defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan, on Twitter.

“Cancelled @Olacabs Booking because Driver was Muslim. I don't want to give my money to Jihadi People”, Mishra wrote on the micro-blogging site.

To Justify his move, Mishra retweeted the April 20 post on Sunday, saying: "People starts attack on me. Can I have no right to choose ? If they can run a campaign against Hanuman ji poster on cab, defamed Hindus and Hindus god in Kathua incident then they must be prepared for reply (sic)"

Reacting on the issue, an Ola spokesperson said: "The company does not subscribe to the views of individuals who want to create disharmony by using our platform."

Earlier in 2015, the popular app-based taxi service had received praises from all corners after its solid reply to a user who wanted a Hindu driver.

Seelam Veerapa Naidu, whose Twitter account calls him a physician based in Hyderabad, tweeted to Ola asking for a Hindu driver for his ride. However, Ola tweeted back saying, “Sorry, we do not discriminate against our drivers on the basis of their religion.” It also got a thumbs-up from its rival taxi service, Uber Cabs.