Uber has brought a revolution to industries as a result of that a new term Uberisation was coined. It allows us to book things with our phones including cabs. This makes traveling convenient and also safe. There is no doubt that Uber rides provide a lot of convenience for passengers but there are also emerging unexpected incidents happening every now and then. Ridesharing can be safer but if you were injured in an accident during your ride? This resulted in a question, “Can I Sue Uber or Lyft After a Car Accident?” Something unusual happened to a journalist named Ushnota Paul. The thing that happened to her got her terrified and she decided that she will never take an Uber cab after that.
Ushnota Was Traveling Via Uber Cab Just Like Every Day
Just like every day, Ushnota was traveling via Uber. Her fellow passenger started arguing with the driver as according to her, she was charged extra amount and she would be dropped last. This started a brief verbal encounter between Ushnota and the lady. The verbal encounter soon turned into an assault and the lady scratched Ushnota’s face. Furthermore, Paul tried to protect her face with her hands and she got scratched there too. Moreover, the lady pulled Ushnota’s hair so wildly that a huge fraction of them came off.
The Woman Also Made Racial Comments
In Ushnota’s words, “The woman seemed to be too violent and banged the hand rest on my bag kept between us and also, on my hand. I picked the bag and put it beside the driver’s seat. I guess that must have pushed her to the edge. It was almost near Urmi Estate in Lower Parel, (where her drop was) when she made racist comments”.
Uber Refused To Disclose Any Information About The Woman
Ushnota decided to file a police complaint. The driver accompanied her but Uber refused to disclose any information about the accused as it was against their company policy.
She Shared It On Twitter
Hi @Uber_Support , I had the worst experience today morning. Was Uber pooling with a woman who was hostile from the very start. She started yelling at the driver saying she’s paying the “most” & still she’s getting dropped last. When I tried to intervene I was verbally abused. pic.twitter.com/4uHLUii3X7
— June Paul (@journojuno) June 25, 2018
Reasoning with her was futile. She called me all sorts of names & tried to provoke me when I went completely quiet. Was reading something on my mobile & refused to give a reaction even though she went on her abusive rant calling me the worst abuses that I’m too ashamed to mention
— June Paul (@journojuno) June 25, 2018
Then she banged the hand rest on my bag kept b/w us & on my hand. And asked me to remove my “dirty things” from her. I still didn’t react. Picked the bag and put it beside the driver’s seat. I guess that must have pushed her to the edge.
— June Paul (@journojuno) June 25, 2018
It was almost near Urmi Estate in Lower Parel (where her drop was) when she went completely racist and called me a “chinky” & a “chinky s**t”. I told her it’s racist to which she said “haan toh? Kya Kar legi”.
— June Paul (@journojuno) June 25, 2018
I tried to click her picture and she immediately snatched it away from me and threatened to break it. I know she would've so I didn't try clicking anymore. Before she got down from the cab,she physically attacked me,grabbed me by my hair,tore off clumps of hair, scratched my face
— June Paul (@journojuno) June 25, 2018
I was too shocked & was crying hysterically so it didn’t even occur to me that this woman has ran away inside her office building. Went to LP police station & filed an official FIR. Mumbai Police was very supportive.
— June Paul (@journojuno) June 25, 2018
Uber refused to give the woman’s details stating “customer privacy”. The police officer called them in front of me and said there’s a formal complaint against this woman & yet Uber didn’t help. If she’s your customer, so am I.
— June Paul (@journojuno) June 25, 2018
I have been physically & verbally assaulted in broad daylight by a complete stranger. The whole back seat of @Uber is full of clumps of my hair,I have injury on my face & hands & I'm definitely psychologically scarred. I take Uber twice everyday & yet I know now that I'm not safe
— June Paul (@journojuno) June 25, 2018
Uber won’t do anything when it comes to my safety. If they don't respect what the Mumbai Police are saying to them, I am a mere civilian and definitely I am not safe.
— June Paul (@journojuno) June 25, 2018
.@MumbaiPolice said a lot of women do not file official complaints even though they face harassment, but I am not going to back down. This wasn't my fault. We, as women, should defend ourselves and stand up for what is right.
— June Paul (@journojuno) June 25, 2018
I have a copy of the original FIR and I will not back down. Think twice before taking Uber. I am shaken and terrified with the whole experience right now. I. AM. DONE. pic.twitter.com/G9WMuhbyWc
— June Paul (@journojuno) June 25, 2018
After that, Ushnota shared her pain on the social media and wrote down the entire incident in a series of tweets.
This Is How Uber Replied
Thank you for providing this information. Our team is currently working to resolve this issue and will be in touch shortly via email. We appreciate your patience while we review.
— Uber Support (@Uber_Support) June 25, 2018
After reading the tweets, Uber replied, “Hey Ushnota, thank you for taking the time to speak with us. As discussed, we’ve reached out to law enforcement authorities to offer any information that could be helpful in their proceedings. We will keep you updated via the in-app help.”
An investigation should be done in this regard to know what exactly happened. What do you say about this incident? Share your thoughts in the comments.
Also, check Ola and Uber introduced the women-only pool option to make the things safer for women.
