India
Updated : Dec 08, 2014, 08:40 PM IST
On Friday, a 27 year-old was raped allegedly by an Uber cab driver. Even as the police was hot on the accused's trail, the government banned Uber in Delhi leading to floods of reaction. While Uber clearly did not have all the requisite security measures in place, the government's action elicited mixed reactions from people.
Twitter users too vented on the micro-blogging site with a few supporting the ban, many questioning it and most bringing the focus on the Centre's past actions when it came to its own kindred. Uber has become the target of Twitter users' mockery after the grave lapses in their system to ensure users safety.
"I have 5 murder charges, 6 rape cases, 11 robberies charges against me. How am I ever going to -" "Can you start Monday?" - Uber
— Tanmay Bhat (@thetanmay) December 8, 2014
While a few agreed to the ban, they also questioned lack of security measures for women.
Uber deserves to be banned. They've broken too many laws but does a woman have to be raped for the government to wake up and realize that ?
— $ir $ri $ri Magal (@jhunjhunwala) December 8, 2014
Many felt the ban was knee-jerk reaction by the government and an inadequate response to the situation.
It's not the cab. Or the bus. Or the train. Or the school. Or the office. Or,the safest place,the home. It's men + their idea of power #Uber
— smruti (@urjourno) December 8, 2014
Untimely action is just a desperate attempt. Banning @uber is not the solution, plenty of others have same business to do #DelhiShamedAgain
— Sourav G S Raina (@sourav_r89) December 8, 2014
Instead of banning Uber, how about ensuring radio cab co's follow the rules? And how about giving us safe alternatives? #nocountryforwomen
— amrita tripathi (@amritat) December 8, 2014
Banning Uber is a stupid, knee-jerk reaction to a very serious problem.
— Tavleen Singh (@tavleen_singh) December 8, 2014
This government is fast becoming UPA 3 - Wrong Diagnosis; bad treatment- why ban #Uber - correct your licensing system for Cab Drivers
— Samir Saran (@samirsaran) December 8, 2014
People also questioned the timing and motive behind the ban.
Man. Uber has not at all invested in "government relations" in India has it?
— Lion Of The Kashyaps (@sidin) December 8, 2014
Delhi government's Uber ban may not be completely justified. There could be vested interests at play. 2/2
— Jayadevan PK (@therealjpk) December 8, 2014
There were speculations on what grounds Uber was banned, particularly the violation of Radio Taxi Act, 2006.
According to @_alps, Uber was banned for violation of Radio Taxi Act, 2006, not the rape
— Kunal Majumder (@kunalmajumder) December 8, 2014
The matter was debated hotly as Twitter users were quick to raise Centre's inaction when Union Minister Nihal Chand Meghwal was accused of rape.
Ban Uber, continue with rape accused Nihalchand. Abki baar.....clueless sarkar?
— Priyanka Chaturvedi (@priyankac19) December 8, 2014
By this yardstick of banning #Uber, shouldn't the Govt of India be banned for having a rape-accused cabinet minister? #NihalChand
— smruti (@urjourno) December 8, 2014
If we start banning places that employ the rape-accused, Parliament House is next.
— oculus (@daddy_san) December 8, 2014
#Uber Cab Driver was arrested in 24hrs, NihalChand is still untraceable. Efficiency of Police differs from case to case. #DelhiShamedAgain
— Vinod Mehta (@DrunkVinodMehta) December 8, 2014
???????, i'm busy in campaigning in J&K and Jharkhand, so don't disturb me for #DelhiShamedAgain , NihalChand will look into this matter.
— Narendra Modi (@NarenderModiBA) December 8, 2014
.@AamAadmiParty has a concrete plan for women's security in Delhi. @BJPlndia has Nihal Chand pic.twitter.com/Yf1ORZOM7B #MufflerMan
— Atishi Marlena (@AtishiMarlena) December 7, 2014
Ban #Uber as it didnt do background check on driver. So can we also ban those who didnt do a bg check on Amit Shah & Nihal Chand #justasking
— Aditya Menon (@AdityaMenon22) December 8, 2014
Who will ban rape accused #NihalChand's entry into Parliament?? #UberBan pic.twitter.com/AJiDpSeZhb
— Shreekant Sahu (@SahuSKNT) December 8, 2014
Uber would have been at fault only if they'd given a job knowingly to someone who was a rapist. Like NDA Govt made Nihal Chand a minister.
— Gaurav Pandhi (@GauravPandhi) December 8, 2014
Dear @HMOIndia, with Nihal Chand sitting by your side, we do not believe your statement in Parliament. #UnsafeDelhi
— Raju P. Nair (@RajuPNair) December 8, 2014
Nihalchand is cabinet minister. @arunjaitley thinks rape is a small incident. Yes,women r safe in India. #DelhiShamedAgain
— Santoesha Bissesar (@MsSantoesha) December 8, 2014