Frustrated Owner Stages Unusual Protest Against Mahindra
In a dramatic display of customer frustration, a man from Pune's Junnar area staged an extraordinary protest against the persistent problems with his newly purchased Mahindra Thar. Ganesh Sangde, the vehicle owner, made headlines when he used two donkeys to pull his SUV to the dealer's showroom, creating a viral spectacle that has sparked widespread discussion about automotive service quality in India.
The Donkey-Led Protest Goes Viral
A video that quickly spread across social media platforms captured the unusual scene: two donkeys were seen dragging the Mahindra Thar while local residents played traditional drums and others helped push the vehicle along. Sangde explained that his troubles began immediately after purchasing the vehicle, which suffered from significant issues including water leakage and an abnormally loud engine.
Despite multiple complaints and service requests, the authorized dealer Sahyadri Motors in Wakad failed to resolve these problems effectively. The continuous neglect prompted Sangde to take matters into his own hands in a way that would capture public attention.
Public Reaction and Broader Service Issues
The viral protest triggered massive responses on social media, with many users directly appealing to Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra to address the situation. One social media user commented, "Anand Mahindra has an opinion on almost everything. I am sure he will have something to say on this. At least to his team and the buyer."
Another user shared their own negative experience, stating, "Well deserved, Mahindra! I have personally experienced how you treat your customers." The incident has exposed deeper concerns about Mahindra's service network, with multiple customers coming forward with similar complaints.
This isn't an isolated case within the Mahindra service ecosystem. In July, another customer from Noida, Suraj Chaudhary, reported being overcharged for services that were never performed at a Mahindra service center. He discovered a ₹26,000 bill that included several services that weren't actually done, which was later reduced to ₹21,000 after he confronted the staff with evidence.
Chaudhary's experience raises serious questions about service transparency, particularly for customers who use pick-and-drop services and cannot monitor the work being done on their vehicles.
Social media responses highlighted a pattern of service issues:
- "Mahindra is bad in service. I have been struggling for a month," alleged one user.
- Another commented, "For private cars, Mahindra should be the last option."
- One sarcastic remark stated, "Nothing new. It's always a donkey driving a Thar," while another user noted, "Mahindra cars been having a lot of issues since last few months while their team is silent from social media."
The protest has clearly struck a chord with Indian consumers, highlighting the growing frustration with automotive service quality and the power of creative consumer activism in the digital age.
