Don’t get caught in race for jobs, says U.P. Deputy CM, buy vehicles, join Bharat Taxi
Uttar Pradesh Deputy CM Brajesh Pathak is facing backlash for suggesting that unemployed youth should abandon the job search and become taxi drivers. He argued that owning a vehicle provides financial independence and criticized the opposition for past economic policies.
Why it matters
The statement highlights the ongoing political debate regarding unemployment rates and the government's role in job creation versus promoting gig-economy entrepreneurship.
Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak sparked a controversy after videos of his recent speech, in which he is seen urging young people to look beyond finding jobs and consider earning a living by driving taxis, went viral on social media.
Mr. Pathak, while speaking at an event to promote the newly launched Bharat Taxi in Lucknow on September 23, 2026, told young people that owning and driving their own vehicle could provide an alternative source of livelihood.
“Don’t get caught up in the race for jobs... your own vehicle, your own hands, your own money. This way, the money will stay in your own household,” he said, adding that the U.P. government would help youth in securing easy loans to buy taxis.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in