In a controversial incident, a government-run bus in Karnataka was halted midway as the driver exited his seat to perform namaz. The incident, which took place between Hubballi and Haveri, caught the attention of passengers and social media users alike when a video of the event went viral.
The video, shared on social media by a user named Akshay Akki, shows the KSRTC (Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation) bus driver, Shafiulla Nadaf, performing his prayers inside the bus after stopping it on the road. Passengers can be seen sitting idly, with some on their phones while others appeared confused and frustrated by the unexpected delay. The passengers waited for the driver to finish his prayers, which caused a few minutes of travel time to be consumed.
WATCH THE VIDEO:
KSRTC driver Shafiulla Nadaf stopped a government bus mid-route from Hubballi to Haveri to offer Namaz on the roadside with passengers still inside???
This happened on the evening of April 29. Is this public transport or his private property @KSRTC_Journeys ?
Imagine the… pic.twitter.com/4lx3qFvfCE
— Akshay Akki ಅಕ್ಷಯ್?? (@FollowAkshay1) April 30, 2025
Akshay Akki questioned the driver’s actions, asking, “Is this public transport or his private property?” The post quickly garnered attention, with many netizens expressing their disapproval of the act. “This is highly unprofessional,” one user commented, while another sarcastically added, “Imagine if he were a pilot!”
The footage quickly went viral, garnering over two lakh views and hundreds of comments. While the act sparked criticism, some users defended the driver, stating that religion is a personal belief and that one should respect individual practices. “We don’t know the actual situation on the bus. It might be standing at the bus stand, or he might be waiting for the conductor or driver. Religion is a matter of personal belief. Don’t push to terminate someone from their job & they might be supporting a family with that salary,” one user commented in support.
Others, however, argued that the act was unprofessional, suggesting that the transport service should take appropriate action. The controversy has raised questions about public services and personal beliefs, with many urging a more balanced approach to dealing with such situations.
The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) has yet to comment on the incident or take any action regarding the driver’s conduct. The event has sparked a larger conversation about professionalism and personal freedom in public services.
