Abingdon taxi driver suffers racially aggravated attack

The Kash Taxi driver picked up a white European couple in their 60s from the Abingdon rank for a trip to Prince Grove at about 7.45pm on Sunday, March 22.

The driver, a British citizen who also works in IT, was born and brought up in Hyderabad, the capital of Telangana in India.

He moved to the UK in February 2010 to complete his master’s degree and has been an Abingdon resident since 2014, also working in the Spar shop in High Street.

When a political conversation about the Iran-Israel conflict was initiated during the journey, he explained that he could not discuss the matter.

He said the woman then “made a disturbing comment about ongoing international conflict” while the male passenger “expressed extreme political views, strongly criticising immigrants and insulting political figures”.

When asked about his ethnicity, which seemed to “trigger” the male, the taxi driver “remained silent and professional throughout”.

On arrival, the male slammed the car door and repeatedly swore at the taxi driver, adding racist insults.

Moments after the female passenger pushed the male inside the house, he came out through another door and attempted to charge at the taxi driver, shouting aggressively.

The taxi driver drove away, as he was “fearing for safety and potential physical assault.”

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He described the incident as a deplorable, unprovoked attack, interrogating his nationality and religion, rooted in a hostile, anti-immigrant sentiment.

“The couple has given me the worst experience of my life”, he said, “The perpetrators expressed extremist views, suggesting that international tensions justify local bigotry. Such a stance is not only logically flawed, but entirely unacceptable.”

“My family has been left deeply shaken by this violation of our safety”, he said, “We are taxpayers, neighbours, and law-abiding citizens who contribute diligently to this town. Our right to walk these streets in peace is absolute, and not subject to the approval of the intolerant.”

He warns others to report hate crime to the police.

He added: “If you or your loved ones encounter any form of harassment, please dial 999 immediately to report a hate crime.

“We must ensure we are heard, otherwise, we risk a future where our families feel unable to leave their own homes.”

Thames Valley Police confirmed that it is investigating the public order offence involving the aggravated racial abuse. Police also said no arrests have been made in connection with the incident.

Anyone with information should contact the police, quoting reference number 43260141168.