High drama prevailed on Old Airport Road on Sunday when a man staged a protest in the middle of the road after being held up in traffic due to a zero-traffic arrangement for Karnataka Governor Thawarchand Gehlot’s convoy.
The incident, which was captured on video and widely shared on social media, drew the attention of motorists and security personnel deployed along the route.
According to eyewitnesses, the man became increasingly agitated after traffic was halted for the Governor’s movement. Claiming that his wife was pregnant and unwell, he got out of his vehicle and sat in the middle of the road, refusing to move despite repeated requests from police personnel.
“My wife is pregnant. We also have work to do, don’t we?” the man was heard telling a traffic inspector in the viral video.
When asked to move aside, he questioned the necessity of stopping public movement for VIP convoys. “Why have you blocked the signal? Just because the Governor is a VIP, does that mean we are nobody?” he asked.
Police personnel attempted to pacify the protester and urged him to clear the road. However, he repeatedly refused, forcing officers to seek additional support to prevent the situation from escalating further.
After several minutes of heated exchanges, police managed to remove the man from the carriageway shortly before the Governor’s convoy passed through the stretch.
The incident has reignited debate on social media over the inconvenience caused to commuters during VIP movements, with many social media users expressing sympathy for the protester and questioning the continued practice of imposing traffic restrictions for the movement of dignitaries.
The episode also comes amid growing criticism of VIP culture in the country. Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged Ministers and officials to adopt a more restrained approach to official protocols, emphasising simplicity and reducing inconvenience to the public.
While no case was immediately reported in connection with the protest, the incident has once again brought the issue of balancing security requirements with public convenience into sharp focus.
Published - June 01, 2026 06:43 pm IST
Source: The Hindu - India News
