Donkey-Led Protest Highlights Customer Frustration

New Delhi, November 15, 2025: A video capturing a highly unusual form of protest in Pune has been widely shared across social media platforms, sparking intense debate about customer service standards in the automobile industry. The footage shows a pair of donkeys being used to drag a brand new Mahindra Thar SUV to a dealership in the Wakad area.

The spectacle, which was reportedly orchestrated by the owner, Ganesh Sangade, was transformed into a public procession with the accompaniment of dhol-tasha drummers, ensuring that the demonstration would not be ignored.

The dramatic protest was staged near the Hinjawadi Flyover at the Mahindra Sahyadri Motors showroom. The entire episode was filmed by numerous bystanders and quickly was made viral, generating millions of views and comments within hours of its upload. The decision to use donkeys was considered a highly symbolic act, meant to convey the owner’s profound frustration with the vehicle’s performance and the manufacturer’s after-sales support.

Persistent Faults Prompt Public Outcry

The owner, a resident of Junnar, was driven to this extreme measure by what were claimed to be persistent and unresolved mechanical and quality issues with his vehicle. The Mahindra Thar was purchased only a few months prior to the incident, with the expectation that it would be a tough and dependable vehicle, a reputation for which the model is widely known. However, the SUV began showing faults soon after delivery.

Despite repeated visits to the dealership and multiple services being performed as recommended by the company, the underlying problems were reportedly not rectified. The grievances that were detailed by Sangade included water leakage into the cabin, extremely poor mileage that forced daily refueling, the early appearance of rust spots on the body paint, and unusually loud engine noise that made driving uncomfortable. His repeated complaints were met with months of alleged inaction, which was cited as the primary reason for the dramatic demonstration.

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The Impact on After-Sales Service Debate

The viral video has successfully ignited a wider conversation online concerning the quality of customer service and after-sales support provided by major automobile manufacturers in India. While some social media users were entertained by the theatrical nature of the protest, immense sympathy was expressed for the owner’s predicament. The incident is being viewed by many as a stark reflection of the helplessness that is often felt by customers when their concerns are not adequately addressed by corporations.

The unusual protest is serving as a potent reminder to manufacturers about the crucial importance of resolving consumer grievances promptly and effectively. The sheer publicity that was generated by the donkey-led procession will undoubtedly be felt by the brand, highlighting the power of social media to hold large companies accountable for the quality of their products and services.