Bhubaneswar, 19 July (H.S.): The Drivers’ Federation of India has announced plans for a nationwide agitation following the arrest of key leaders involved in the recent ‘Quit Steering’ protest in Odisha. The protest, which aimed to highlight the need for better welfare and social security measures for drivers, has now escalated into a national issue, with the federation calling for urgent intervention by both state and central governments.

In a strongly worded letter addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari, the federation demanded the immediate release of the arrested leaders. It warned that failure to do so would result in coordinated protests across all 28 states.

National Auto-Taxi-Bus Transport Federation President Baba Kamble condemned the arrests, stating that Odisha Driver Mahasangha President Prashant Menduli and his associate were peacefully participating in the protest. Despite the non-violent nature of the demonstration, the Odisha Police allegedly invoked stringent sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) to detain them.

Kamble accused the Odisha government of attempting to suppress dissent through harsh legal action. Among those arrested was the Mahasangha’s treasurer, Aditya Prasad Behera, who now faces charges that carry a maximum sentence of four years.

“The use of such severe legal provisions against peaceful demonstrators is not only disproportionate but deeply unjust,” Kamble said. He called on all driver unions across the country to remain united and prepare for a nationwide strike if the detained leaders are not released immediately.

The federation has labeled the charges “false and fabricated,” and is demanding their complete withdrawal. It also emphasized that unless the demands are met swiftly, large-scale protests will be launched across the country in solidarity with the arrested drivers.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda