Lagatar24 Desk
Meerut: A woman traveling on the newly inaugurated Meerut-Lucknow Vande Bharat Express on Saturday alleged that she and her companion were harassed by BJP workers aboard the train. The incident, which occurred shortly after Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually flagged off the train, has sparked significant outrage.
The woman recounted the ordeal, explaining that the trouble began when she and her companion attempted to move through a coach to access food. According to her, a man stopped them, claiming that the cabin was exclusively reserved for BJP members and that they were not allowed to pass through.
The situation quickly escalated when they tried to return, leading to a heated argument and a physical altercation. “We were passing through the cabin to get food when an uncle stopped us, saying it is BJP’s cabin and we cannot go through it,” the woman told reporters onboard the Vande Bharat train. “When we were returning, they started arguing and pushed us, asking why we were frequently moving around the cabin. We are also connected with the BJP, but these kinds of people defame the party.”
Her companion, who identified himself as a BJP supporter and an influencer invited to cover the train’s inauguration, expressed his dismay over the incident. “BJP hired us as influencers. They consider the train as their personal property and were misbehaving with my sister,” he said.
The incident quickly gained traction on social media, with Congress spokesperson Shama Mohamed condemning the behavior. “This is completely unacceptable. The train is public property, not a personal or BJP asset,” she posted on X (formerly Twitter).
The Congress party also shared a viral clip of the incident, commenting, “This video is a witness to the conduct, character, and face of the BJP.”
Meerut-Lucknow Vande Bharat Express Inauguration:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually inaugurated the Meerut city-Lucknow Vande Bharat Express on Saturday, alongside the Chennai Egmore-Nagercoil and Madurai-Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express trains. The Meerut-Lucknow route is expected to save passengers approximately one hour compared to the current fastest train between the two cities.
During the virtual flag-off ceremony, PM Modi highlighted the progress Indian Railways has made in addressing long-standing issues and emphasized the government’s commitment to ensuring comfortable travel for all. “Through its hard work over the years, the railways has made big strides in addressing long-standing issues and offered new hopes and solutions. We will not stop until Indian Railways becomes a guarantee of comfortable travel for everyone,” Modi stated.
The incident on the Meerut-Lucknow Vande Bharat Express has raised questions about the behavior of some passengers and sparked discussions on social media about the misuse of public property.
