Anoushey Ashraf attempted to normalise public transport for the well-to-do on Wednesday but instead, got schooled for her tone-deaf tweet about rikshaws and what constitutes as public transport. The host and RJ called a rickshaw ride a “relatively safe and cheap” adventure. She demanded that people like herself be allowed to use the facility without turning heads.
Taking to Twitter, she shared a video of herself in a rickshaw to narrate, “I got offered a sympathy ride when someone saw me getting into a rickshaw today. I thought it’d be an adventure, was close to home, relatively safe (you can jump out) and cheap. But seeing a ‘well off’ person in a rick(shaw) can really worry people here! Normalise public transport for all.”
Got offered a sympathy ride when someone saw me getting into a rickshaw 2day. I thought it’d be an adventure, was close to home, relatively safe (you can jump out) and cheap. But seeing a “well off” person in a rick can really worry ppl here! Normalise public transport for all. pic.twitter.com/pqnPw0FMsh
— Anoushey Ashraf (@Anoushey_a) March 7, 2023
Given that rickshaws are expensive for a lot of people in this country, Ashraf’s tone-deaf remark did not sit well with her followers. Many referenced Ranbir Kapoor’s mocking of Nargis Fakhri in Rockstar which sees him making fun of her for goofing around and thinking she had an adventure.
WeLL oFF pErSoN iN a rIck Oh My Goddddd😭😭 https://t.co/QQtYzp9Y0M
— ɯɐǝɹᗡ (@burrrgergirl) March 8, 2023
“well off people” https://t.co/kJwxNRIl6J pic.twitter.com/vpuL2nX7h2
— maham. (@turnitupbruh) March 8, 2023
Others felt her video channelled Priyanka Chopra’s “global citizen live” meme energy.
knew she reminded me of someone https://t.co/7LKQqt7Nrh pic.twitter.com/XE6N0t9u2z
— mujhekya (@smthizwronggwme) March 8, 2023
Seeing a "well off" person in a rick https://t.co/K2O3GTHdOU pic.twitter.com/I3b41zaCXA
— Maryumyum (@ElitistaTa) March 8, 2023
She after having a rickshaw ride: pic.twitter.com/eVSan27J14
— Saima Khan (@isktweets) March 9, 2023
Mostly, users called her out for “fetishising” the middle-class struggle without realising that what she wants to normalise is already normal for many.
Mode of transport used by people everyday is an "adventure" for our elites.
— Usama Hamayun (@Usama_Hamayun) March 9, 2023
Can we please stop this fetishization of "middle-class" culture? https://t.co/dtCCvNLAyk
“If only she'd posted this with some irony it'd be genuinely funny, lol,” wrote a user.
if only she'd posted this with some irony it'd be genuinely funny lol https://t.co/RjuvkDQ2TQ
— superego accelerant (@botalvarginaar) March 8, 2023
“Yawr aaj bauhat crazy hogaya. I sat in a rickshaw. What an adventure with all that wind in my face. My hair is all messy now but it was so cheap,” commented another.
yawr aaj bauhat crazy hogaya. i sat in a rickshaw. what an adventure. all that wind in my face. baal kharab ho gae but it was so cheappp. https://t.co/J07GPtw65L
— Sameen (@someaningfull) March 8, 2023
Most, however, told her why rickshaws and taxis do not qualify as public transport. “A rickshaw is a public transport? It's quite expensive and many people can't afford it. The country is facing some major crisis but these ‘well off’ people are indifferent to it.”
A rikshaw is a public transport? It's quite expensive and many ppl cant afford it. The country is facing some major crisis but these "well off" are indifferent to it. When they say pakistan ghareeb ha par yahan ki awaam ameer ha, it s so on point. https://t.co/1tKY3dbvdg
— DAZAI STAN ACC (@boiretto) March 8, 2023
A user even highlighted how the socioeconomic gap is getting “bigger by the day” in this country.
The socioeconomic gap is getting bigger and bigger. https://t.co/05GplI7BDE
— Cato the Elder (@Zaahirhai) March 8, 2023
“It’s not an adventure for most people – it’s actually quite expensive now. For many, it’s a compulsion since they don’t own cars/bikes. Also, I don’t really think seeing a ‘well off’ person will worry anyone but more importantly, should people not worry if the person wasn’t ‘well off?’” asked a tweep.
It’s not an adventure for most people - it’s actually quite expensive now - for many it’s a compulsion since many people don’t own cars/bikes - don’t really think seeing a “well off” person will worry anyone - would people not worry if the person wasn’t “well off” https://t.co/09XwUlsEKV
— omar r quraishi (@omar_quraishi) March 8, 2023
Another explained that while Ashraf may have tried a rickshaw for “adventure,” it is a privilege for many. “People who *actually* use public transit know that taking a rikshaw is actually something of a privilege because it's faster and costs a LOT more than a bus ride. Daily commuters can't afford to splurge on it.”
People who *actually* use public transit know that taking a rikshaw is actually something of a privilege because it's faster and costs a LOT more than a bus ride. Daily commuters can't afford to splurge on it. https://t.co/ikRg2sR5Zi
— Glorified Mazdoor (@naaninclusive) March 8, 2023
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