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Karnataka Bike Taxi Workers Launch Hunger Strike Demanding Reversal of Court-Enforced Ban

The hunger strikes follow a June 16 suspension of services that riders say has left hundreds of thousands of gig workers without income.

The protest comes in the wake of a Karnataka high court decision on June 13 that declined to stay an earlier government order banning bike taxi services (File photo)
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Overview

  • Riders in Bengaluru, Mysuru, Mandya, Davangere and Ramanagara have begun an indefinite hunger strike and submitted open letters to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy.
  • The Karnataka High Court refused to stay its April 2 order on June 13 and has maintained the ban pending the government’s notification of bike taxi regulations, with a division bench slated to hear the case on July 2.
  • More than 600,000 bike taxi riders have lost their primary income source since the suspension, with platforms such as Rapido having disbursed over ₹700 crore in payouts to drivers.
  • Union leaders are calling for their inclusion in drafting state rules under Section 93 of the Motor Vehicles Act to ensure a clear, inclusive framework that treats passenger and delivery services equally.
  • Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy has ordered the transport commissioner to penalize ride-hailing apps and auto-rickshaw drivers who charge fares above the government-mandated rates.