On Monday morning, commuters in the city were forced to confront an unexpected situation: An unannounced taxi strike. When spoken to, leaders of the largest taxi union denied that any strike was called by them. Enforced by a few disgruntled taximen, the strike appeared to be leaderless.
To add to the confusion, rumours of an order from home minister RR Patil to increase the fine amount for cabbies not wearing uniform from Rs100 to Rs300 and a few stray stone-pelting incidents made thousands of taximen stay off the streets.
The strike, as was later revealed, was engineered by a political party, Republican Party of India (Khobragde). DNA spoke to Sayajirao Waghmare, president of the Maharashtra unit of the party.
In a city that needs more taxis and with its commuters burdened with hiked fares, what sense does it make to enforce a strike unannounced?
Our party did not give a call for a taxi strike. Taxi drivers voluntarily refused to ply for a day in protest against the administration’s unwillingness to address their concerns.
Surely it was, at least, endorsed by your organisation.
On August 27, we had asked the state transport commissioner to take back within 48 hours his department’s campaign against illegal taxi drivers as it was being used by the road transport officers (RTOs) to exploit taximen. We had even taken out a procession of taxi drivers to his office on the same day. He was, however, non-committal. Thus, we told the taxi drivers that the transport commissioner is not serious about solving their problems. And, after the 48-hour deadline ended, they resorted to action, the effects of which were there for all to see.
Were stone-pelting and the related violence necessary?
We are against any act of violence. We did not ask our men to indulge in such acts. Our men were not involved.
Why did your party not join the issue with other taxi unions?
In the meeting with RR Patil and transport department officials, only the refusal of fares by taximen and their rude behaviour were the issues that were focused upon. The media is also highlighting just this aspect. The union leaders who were present at the meeting did not argue for the taximen. So, amid all the complaints against taxi drivers, their problems are being ignored. It was in this context that the taximen approached us for help, because our party is against exploitation. All the established unions are sold out to the establishment.
What are the immediate plans of the samiti?
Two things are planned for the near future. First, we will have counselling sessions for the taximen in which we will give them a slogan — ‘Nyaal tithe yeu’ [Will come where you (the commuter) take us] so that the reason why people criticise them disappears. Secondly, we will help them in the upkeep of their vehicles so that complaints about old black-and-yellow taxis dwindle.
On Tuesday, you met RR Patil to discuss the taximen’s issues. What demands did you place before him?
We have made the following demands: a) Changes in the chassis should be regularised just as changes in the engine are; b) New permits should be given to ordinary individuals who request for it; c) Taxi driver-owner should be given loans at low interest rates; d) Squad searching for illegal taxis should be called back; e) Immediately release the confiscated vehicles.
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