Mumbai Rickshaw Driver Threatens Rapido Rider in Viral Video

New Delhi, December 30, 2025: A shocking display of road rage and professional rivalry was witnessed on the streets of Mumbai this week as a viral video captured a heated confrontation between a local autorickshaw driver and a Rapido bike-taxi rider. On December 28, 2025, the footage began circulating across social media platforms, showing the rickshaw driver intercepting the bike rider in the middle of a busy road. The driver was observed using aggressive language and physical gestures to intimidate the rider, shouting the threatening phrase, “Lagau kya tere ko ek?” (Should I slap you?), which has since become a focal point of public outrage.

Intimidation Caught on Camera

The incident was recorded by a bystander and subsequently shared by several citizen journalism handles. In the clip, the rickshaw driver is observed parking his vehicle abruptly to block the Rapido rider’s path. He was seen accusing the rider of “stealing business” and operating an “illegal service” that bypasses traditional transport permits. The bike rider was observed attempting to de-escalate the situation with a calm demeanor, yet the driver continued his verbal assault, at one point leaning in close to the rider’s face while reiterating his threat of physical violence.

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Rising Tensions Between Aggregators and Traditional Unions

This confrontation is being viewed as a symptom of a much larger, ongoing conflict within Mumbai’s transport sector. Throughout December 2025, several protests have been staged by autorickshaw unions against app-based aggregators like Rapido and Uber. It has been argued by union leaders that bike-taxis are operating without the mandatory commercial permits required for passenger transport, leading to a significant dip in daily earnings for licensed rickshaw drivers. The viral video has been cited by critics as evidence of a “thug culture” emerging within certain sections of the transport unions.

Mumbai Police and RTO Intervention

Following the viral spread of the video, a swift response was demanded by netizens, many of whom tagged the Mumbai Police and the Regional Transport Office (RTO). It was reported on December 30, 2025, that an investigation has been initiated to identify the rickshaw driver based on the vehicle registration number visible in the footage. Authorities were heard clarifying that while the legality of bike-taxis is currently under judicial review, no individual has the right to “take the law into their own hands” or harass workers on the road. The police have urged the Rapido rider to come forward and file a formal complaint to facilitate further legal action.

The Battle for Mumbai’s Commuters

As the year 2025 draws to a close, the “Rickshaw vs. Rapido” feud remains one of the most pressing urban challenges for the city administration. Commuters have been observed expressing their frustration online, noting that while rickshaw drivers often refuse short-distance fares, they are simultaneously preventing alternative services from operating. This incident serves as a grim reminder of the safety risks faced by gig workers and the urgent need for a clear, enforceable regulatory framework that balances the interests of traditional transport workers with the modern demands of app-based mobility.