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Dhaka Day by Day

Harassment and Embarrassment

by Dipak Kumar Karmaker
As the man asked one bus-conductor about where the bus would go. the latter, with light nlng speed, grabbed his hand and started pulling him towards his bus. But instantly two more conductors of other buses pounced upon the wretched passenger with the leather-bag hanging on his shoulder. One caught hold of his collar while the other his loose pantaloon. Each was dragging the man as violently as possible and it looked like an eternal quadrangle'. In this tug of war. the man fell on the ground and supinely. He was desperately saying something, but nothing could be heard in this taMtdx
Such a scene docs not seem rare if one goes fo the long route bus-terminals like Mahaknall or Oabtall. As the number of long-route buses has increased, there is a tremendous competition among them. So. the owner of the buses employ their men for capturing passengers. That the method of their collecting passengers Is not pleasant, has been seen in the above Instance. When a passenger has already decided about which bus he will take, there is not much problem. But If it is one who docs not know exactly which bus to avail of. he is going to encounter an awful situation.
While shouting for the passengers, the con ductors repeatedly say,
"direct, direct....', that Is, the bus will not touch at any station on the way. However, the passengers, while the bus Is on the move, see to their utter frustration that It stops not only at each and every stop but also at the places which are not stops. If anyone protests against this, the conductors commonly say, "It will go In this way. If you feel any problem, why have you got on board a bus instead of riding on a private carV
They also assure of good scats and all kinds of ease and comfort. Yet, one knows most of the people have to keep standing al) the way. Of course, one can. as many do. sleep like horse In that standing position
As for the ease and comfort, the bus roof is loaded with different things. Worth mentioning Is fish-basket from which water sometimes trickles down the window People whose
hands rest on the window In a leisurely gesture. suddenly discover that smelly water Is falling on their hands from that fish-basket. Probably, at that moment, they discover that Journey by a bus is not that romantic afterall. On the other hand, when conductors hurriedly mount on the roof they often trample on the hands on the window, which disgusts people infinitely. Over this, people sometimes quar re Is with the conductor which ultimately results In reciprocal vituperation, when the latter comes forward with a challenge.
If you go to the bus terminal with heavy luggage. you will face another kind of problem. There are licenced Kulls (porters) who are In groups, or to speak correctly. In gangs. One may need a Kull only to place the luggage from rickshaw to the roof of the bus. Even if you have a servant to do that, you cannot use him. but you will have to use the Kull. And what Is more Important Is that for this he will demand such an amount of money that you will be terror-struck. For the unlimited insolence of the Kubs can create terror in any one. If one refuses to pay the amount, he will revile the passenger with whatever language he pleases and he can use hands unhesitatingly If he needs. The Kulls understand very well that people are afraid of even the slightest humlUation In the public place. They Just exploit this side of people's psychology
So. they always assume a very fierce aspect Their unusual audacity can even try the patience of job. Of course, there are people who can cope with the situation and sometimes defeat the Kulis. But it Is very risky, for If one wants to fight, the Kulis can go too far. They -can take recourse to arms or go on strike which can ultimately affect the whole nation.
The harassment and embarrassment at the hands of bus-conductors and Kulis are felt by the passengers only — The wearer best knows where the shoe pinches." But as we leave the bus-terminal, we become absorbed in our everyday business and forget the whole thing. However, the matter calls for profound attention.