It’s an additional experience in Mumbai. That day I was going by BEST bus to IIT Powai.The bus was too much crowded as usual.90% of the passengers were ,as it looked, from labor class and were speaking Marathi. I was silent and observing people out there. At the Mulund bus stop a lady, 50 something of age, enetered into the bus.She wore salwar-kamij.She went to driver and asked “Tumne bas kyun nahi roka?” I watched and realized she was desperately waiting for that bus since long time and that frustration was well evident on her face.
“Kyun, Ye tere baap ki bus hai kya..? He said.
“No, ye na mere baap ki hai na tumhare baap ki, Ye government ki bus hai or tumhari ye duty hai ki jahan tumko bus rokna hai wahan bus roko” the decent lady replied.
Parallely the public there started making noise. “Are bhai tum chalo,kyun yese pagal logon ki baton mein aate ho..”. Meanwhile a 25 something guy went to that lady and started hitting and slapping her. He threw her “Chunni”.I was shell shocked. I felt fire in my body. Tears fell down on her cheeks. She was helpless and I felt guilty not reflexing to the situation.
After some time the bus conductor heard the incident. He informed the driver. “Kya ? usne yesa kiya ?” asked the driver. Then followed the real drama. He went to that guy and kept hitting, beating, slapping till blood came out from his face. He abused him. “ sala , jo bolna tha unhone mujhe bola , tu mera koun lagta hai, o hindi bolti hai to kya hua, wahi log mumbai or desh ko chalate hain, tum jaise noukar nahi”.
I again felt happy but uncomfortable. I went to bed but could not sleep, just kept thinking about that Bus driver.
Was he a bad man, was he a hero? I am still confused …..
Regards,
Holy-Devil
