NEW DELHI: A Bengaluru resident has sparked a heated discussion on social media by questioning the justice of free bus rides for women in Karnataka. Sharing his observations during a bus ride, the user expressed concern about the sustainability of the plan and its implications for equality.
A social media user, identified as @KiranKS on Highlighting the Rs 210 fare for male passengers, he pointed out that nearly 30 of the 50 passengers on board were women who traveled for free by simply showing their Aadhaar cards.
In your post, you raised several questions.”1) Almost 30 of the 50 passengers were women. Just show Aadhaar and ride for free. Is this fair? Is it equality? 2) 20 men pay for the entire bus. Is it fair?” 3) I saw an old man struggling to find bills to pay, while a wealthy young woman on a video call next to him rides for free 4) If the state has so much surplus income, why not make it free for these 20? men too? Universal free bus service like airport shuttle,” Kiran said in a post on X.
She added that the subsidy and welfare are given to those who cannot afford it in other countries, but they are given to women in two rich cities like Bengaluru and Mysuru, irrespective of their financial status.
He concluded by criticizing the broader culture of political gifts, saying: “We have entered the vicious cycle of gifts in exchange for votes. It is difficult to get out of this in the near future.”
The debate over free bus rides for women has taken center stage in the political discourse in Karnataka. The Congress-led government’s decision to offer free bus rides to women has drawn criticism, particularly from the opposition BJP.
Adding to the controversy, the state recently announced a 15% increase in fares for the four state transportation corporations, intensifying scrutiny. BJP MLA Mahesh Tenginkai accused the Congress government of failing to balance public welfare with financial sustainability.
“After a year and a half, the Congress government has realized that it is difficult to execute the promised free scheme,” Tenginkai told ANI. “On the one hand, they say that buses will be free for women, while on the other hand, they increase the ticket price by 20 to 30 percent. Development has stopped in Karnataka. They should decide whether or not to grant free plans.”
However, supporters of the plan argue that free bus rides empower women, promoting greater mobility and access to opportunities.