- By Priyanka Koul
- Thu, 01 May 2025 12:13 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
In an unusual incident, a state transport bus driver in Karnataka has come under scrutiny for stopping the vehicle on the roadside to offer namaz. The matter gained attention after a video of the act went viral, prompting authorities to launch an investigation.
The footage shows the driver sitting on a seat and performing prayers, while the bus remains halted on the road’s shoulder as vehicles pass by. A few passengers can be seen inside the bus, watching silently, with some capturing the moment on their phones.
The incident occurred on Tuesday evening along the Hubballi-Haveri highway near Javeri.
KSRTC driver Shafiulla Nadaf stopped a government bus mid-route from Hubballi to Haveri to offer Namaz on the roadside with passengers still inside🤡🤲🏻
— Akshay Akki ಅಕ್ಷಯ್🇮🇳 (@FollowAkshay1) April 30, 2025
This happened on the evening of April 29. Is this public transport or his private property @KSRTC_Journeys ?
Imagine the… pic.twitter.com/4lx3qFvfCE
Sources cited by NDTV said that some passengers raised complaints after the incident, leading the Karnataka State Transport Corporation to initiate a formal probe. Officials confirmed that action would be taken based on the findings.
Karnataka’s Transport Minister, Ramalinga Reddy, took a firm stand. In a letter to the North Western Karnataka Road Transport Corporation manager, he emphasised that public service employees must strictly follow rules.
"Although every individual has the freedom to practise their religion, this should not interfere with official duties. Stopping a bus mid-journey for namaz, especially with passengers onboard, is not acceptable," the minister stated in the letter.
He further instructed authorities to conduct a swift investigation into the video and take disciplinary action if the driver is found at fault. Measures should also be put in place to ensure such incidents do not happen again, he added.