In a move that has stirred controversy and drawn both criticism and support, a bus driver from Karnataka, A. R. Mulla, has been suspended after he allegedly stopped a passenger bus to offer namaz during his route from Hangal to Vishalgad on April 29. Visuals of the incident quickly went viral on social media, prompting strong reactions from different quarters.
According to reports, Mulla halted the bus with passengers still onboard to perform his prayer, an act that led to administrative action and a political response. Karnataka’s Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy addressed the issue by writing a letter to the Managing Director of Northwestern Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (NWKRTC), urging a thorough inquiry into the driver’s conduct.
In the letter, Reddy emphasized that while religious freedom is a constitutional right, public servants must exercise it without compromising their professional responsibilities. “Stopping a bus mid-journey with passengers on board is not acceptable,” he wrote, stressing that such incidents should not be repeated in the future.
The incident triggered a wave of anti-Muslim sentiment on social media, with some users accusing the driver of endangering public safety and misusing his position. However, many others defended Mulla, pointing out that namaz takes only a few minutes and religious expression should be respected in a pluralistic society.
Pending the outcome of the inquiry, Mulla has been suspended from duty. The case has once again brought into focus the delicate balance between religious practices and professional responsibilities in India’s diverse public sphere.
