‘Have now seen this city’s madness’

Dheeraj Singh, 25, came to the city from his hometown in Uttar Pradesh 10 years ago to make a living. After a lot of struggle, he found a way to provide for his family of four – he became an auto rickshaw driver, about five years ago. However, it was only after the road rage incident on Wednesday that he got a real taste of the city, he said.

Dheeraj Singh, 25, came to the city from his hometown in Uttar Pradesh 10 years ago to make a living. After a lot of struggle, he found a way to provide for his family of four – he became an auto rickshaw driver, about five years ago. However, it was only after the road rage incident on Wednesday that he got a real taste of the city, he said.

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“I had seen it in movies. I had heard it from people. But until it happened to me, I did not believe the madness this city was capable of. It was no fault of mine,” said Singh.

But Singh said he won’t give up.

“This place is where my children were born and are studying, and I earn my livelihood. There is no question of returning home. But I am going to be a lot more careful when confronting motorists on the streets,” he added.

Singh said that he was surprised how the incident took place in the middle of the day, and yet, no one came for his rescue. “They were beating me in on the road as the BEST bus drove on. There were cars moving past us, and no one cared. Even when in the bus, there were a few passengers who requested them not to beat me. They did once, and then their voices faded. It is amazing how they openly assaulted me while the crowd looked on, without a word in protest,” he said.

“I can barely see with one eye and my leg is fractured. But what is worse, is the mental assault. I can still remember running on the road and being chased by the four men, then being caught and being beaten up again. I have never felt so helpless,” he said.

Singh lives in a rented accommodation in Kandivli (east) with his wife and two children.