New Delhi: A woman and her companion reported being harassed and intimidated by a group of BJP workers onboard the newly launched Meerut-Lucknow Vande Bharat Express on Saturday. The woman said that the trouble began when they tried to walk through a train coach to purchase food. A man allegedly blocked their path, claiming the cabin was reserved exclusively for BJP members and refusing to let them pass. When they tried to return to their seats, the situation escalated into a heated argument and physical altercation.
“We were walking through the cabin to get food when a man stopped us, claiming it was reserved for BJP members. When we tried to return to our seats, they started arguing and physically pushed us, questioning why we were moving around the cabin. We have connections to the BJP ourselves, but individuals like these tarnish the party’s reputation.”
The woman’s companion, a self-described BJP supporter and social media influencer. “We were invited to cover the train’s inauguration as BJP influencers,’ he said ‘Yet, these individuals treated the train as their personal fiefdom, mistreating my sister.”
Congress slams BJP
The incident quickly gained traction on social media, with Congress spokesperson Shama Mohamed condemning the behaviour. “This is completely unacceptable. The train is public property, not a personal or BJP asset,” she posted on X. 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.”
नरेंद्र मोदी ने आज मेरठ से लखनऊ वंदे भारत ट्रेन को हरी झंडी दिखाई।
फिर इस ट्रेन में BJP के नेताओं ने कब्ज़ा जमा लिया।
ट्रेन में मौजूद एक महिला यात्री जब खाना लेने जा रही थी, तो BJP के नेताओं ने उससे बदसलूकी और मारपीट की।
ये वीडियो BJP के चाल, चरित्र और चेहरे का गवाह है। 👇 pic.twitter.com/cDsMOBNT98
— Congress (@INCIndia) August 31, 2024
Launch of three new Vande Bharat trains
PM Modi on Saturday virtually inaugurated the Meerut city-Lucknow, Chennai Egmore-Nagercoil, and Madurai-Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express trains. The Meerut city-Lucknow Vande Bharat will reduce travel time by about an hour compared to the current fastest service. During the ceremony, Modi highlighted the railways’ significant progress in tackling long-standing issues and emphasized their commitment to ensuring comfortable travel for all. He assured that efforts will continue until Indian Railways guarantees comfort for every passenger.