‘Perverted idea’: Opposition on Maharashtra’s decision to introduce female attendants on buses
The state government on Tuesday said the ‘Shivneri Sundari’ initiative is modelled after in-flight services.
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The Opposition parties in Maharashtra on Wednesday said that the state government’s initiative to introduce female attendants, or “Shivneri Sundari”, on e-Shivneri buses operating between Mumbai and Pune is a “perverted and misogynistic idea”.
On Tuesday, the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation announced the “Shivneri Sundari” initiative, stating that it would offer “enhanced hospitality services” modelled after in-flight services. “Passengers will receive high-quality assistance at no extra cost,” it stated.
pic.twitter.com/RPVjBi4ZY2— Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (@msrtcofficial) October 1, 2024
The decision came after a meeting of the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation under the leadership of its chairperson Bharat Gogavale, The Indian Express reported. Public Relations Officer Abhijit Bhosle said that the process to implement the initiative was yet to start.
Responsibilities of a “Shivneri Sundari” would include providing travel-related information to passengers and assisting them with basic amenities such as water, newspapers and magazines, The Times of India reported.
The female attendants would also be equipped with a first aid kit to offer basic medical assistance to passengers and ensure the cleanliness of the bus, according to the newspaper.
Opposition leaders criticised the state government after the initiative was announced.
In a social media post, Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi said that the idea of “Shivneri Sundaris” serving passengers to “enhance the travel experience...
