A social media post by a Bengaluru resident questioning the fairness of free bus rides for women in Karnataka has ignited a heated debate. The post, shared by a user identified as @KiranKS on X, raises concerns about the financial sustainability and fairness of the scheme, which allows women to travel free on Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) buses by simply showing their Aadhaar cards.

I took an early morning bus to Mysuru, from Bengaluru. ₹210 fare. Comfortable KSRTC bus and a world class highway for fast travel.

But I got a few thoughts.

1) Nearly 30 of the 50 passengers were women. Just show Aadhar and travel free. Is this fair? Is it equality?
2) 20… pic.twitter.com/2TfkzF88IA

— Kiran Kumar S (@KiranKS) January 8, 2025

In his post, Kiran observed that during his journey from Bengaluru to Mysuru, nearly 30 of the 50 passengers were women who paid nothing, while the 20 male passengers had to pay the full fare of ₹210. He raised several questions:

1. Fairness and Equality: He questioned whether it was fair that women travel free while men pay.
2. Financial Burden: He pointed out that the 20 paying men were effectively subsidizing the fare for the women.
3. Sustainability: He raised concerns over the long-term sustainability of the scheme, especially as the state has recently announced a 15% fare hike across all state-run transport corporations.
4. Political Freebies: Kiran also criticized the broader political culture of offering freebies for votes, warning that this trend could have long-term financial consequences.

The debate has become a focal point in Karnataka’s political discourse, with the Congress-led state government defending the initiative as a step towards empowering women and promoting greater mobility and access to opportunities. However, opposition BJP leaders have criticized the scheme, particularly in light of the fare hikes. BJP MLA Mahesh Tenginkai accused the Congress government of failing to balance public welfare with financial sustainability, suggesting that the government’s promises were difficult to implement effectively.

While some argue that the scheme benefits women and provides equal access to opportunities, others believe it is financially unsustainable and unfair to male passengers.

This news report is curated with insights from multiple reliable news sources.