Thousands of bike taxi drivers and their families across Karnataka launched a widespread hunger protest on Sunday, demanding the immediate revocation of the state government’s ban on two-wheeler passenger services. Spearheaded by the Bike Taxi Welfare Association, the coordinated demonstrations were held across key cities including Bengaluru, Mysuru, Mandya, Davanagere, and Ramanagara. Protesters described this as their “last resort” for survival, citing devastating financial losses and growing household insecurity caused by the ongoing prohibition.

Participants in the protest—many of whom included women and children—gathered at designated protest spots, holding placards and raising slogans that called for their right to earn a livelihood. Numerous drivers stated that the ban had left them without any viable alternative income, forcing many into debt or daily uncertainty. Several speakers at the protest accused the state government of turning a blind eye to their repeated appeals, even as families struggled to meet basic needs. The hunger strike is being seen as a critical escalation in the standoff between gig workers and the administration.

The Karnataka government had previously banned bike taxi services, citing safety and regulatory violations, a move fiercely contested by unions and transport rights advocates. Critics argue that rather than a blanket ban, the state should develop a legal framework to regulate and license bike taxi operations. With no formal response from the government yet, the situation remains tense. If no action is taken, organizers have warned of intensifying their agitation. The protests reflect the broader tension between informal gig workers and regulatory bodies in India’s rapidly evolving urban transport landscape.