Controversy

Responding to customer's 'anti-Muslim' tweet, Ola says it is 'secular'

Ola cabs file PTI [File] Representational image | PTI

Ola, the taxi hiring firm, on Sunday said it does not discriminate its drivers or customers on the basis of their religion, gender or creed. This was in response to a post put up by Abhishek Mishra, who in his Twitter handle, claims to be affiliated to Vishwa Hindu Parishad.

Mishra, in a tweet, had said he cancelled an Ola cab that he booked because he realised that the driver was a Muslim. "I don't want to give my money to Jihadi People," said his tweet, which generated much outrage on the social media platform.

Mishra, who claims to be a 'Hindutva thinker' on his Twitter handle, is followed by a number of Union ministers, including Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. He has over 14,000 followers on Twitter.

Responding to Mishra's tweet, Ola said, "Ola, like our country, is a secular platform, and we don't discriminate our driver partners or customers basis their caste, religion, gender or creed. We urge all our customers and driver partners to treat each other with respect at all times."

Later, in another tweet, Mishra said, “I am just raising my voice for Hindu Drivers, those are discriminated on the basis of religion by Customers. Bas style different hai.”

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