Nine people were injured, with two in critical condition, following a stampede at Mumbai’s Bandra Terminus early this morning, sparking a sharp response from Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray, who criticized Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw as “incapable.” The stampede occurred around 2:44 am as a crowd of roughly 1,500 passengers rushed to board the Gorakhpur-bound Antyodaya Express during the pre-Diwali travel surge.
Aaditya Thackeray, son of Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray, took to X (formerly Twitter) to condemn the incident, accusing the Railways Minister of negligence. “Wish the reel minister was a rail minister for once. The incident at Bandra only reflects how incapable the current Railways Minister is. The BJP has made Ashwini Vaishnav ji a Prabhari for BJP Maharashtra for elections, but every week there are some incidents and accidents that occur with the railways. Such a shame that our country has been forced under such incapable ministers,” Thackeray wrote.
The term “reel minister” is used by the Opposition to criticize Vaishnaw’s handling of recent railway incidents, referencing his social media activity. In response to similar comments in August, the minister had defended himself in Parliament, stating, “We’re not just people who make reels, we’re people who work hard.”
Stampede Incident Details
According to officials, the stampede occurred as passengers attempted to board the train before it reached a complete stop. A Railways spokesperson reported that the incident happened while the Bandra-Gorakhpur Antyodaya Express was being moved from the yard to the platform ahead of its 5:15 am departure.
“Around 2:44 am, the train was arriving at the platform, and some passengers tried to board before it fully halted. Nine were injured in the resulting stampede, and Railways arranged for an ambulance to take the critically injured to KB Bhabha Hospital,” the spokesperson stated.
Safety Measures and Public Appeal
The Railways spokesperson clarified that special trains and safety measures, including the deployment of Railway Protection Force (RPF), Government Railway Police (GRP), and ticket-checking staff, have been implemented to manage the heightened passenger volume during the Diwali season. “We urge passengers to follow staff instructions, queue up, and avoid boarding moving trains to ensure a safe journey,” the spokesperson said.
The Gorakhpur-bound train, comprising 22 unreserved compartments, attracted a large crowd seeking to secure seats, with passengers reportedly gathering from midnight. Officials reported that some individuals fell on the tracks during the stampede, further escalating the chaos.
Political Context and Public Reaction
The stampede incident comes less than a month before Maharashtra’s Assembly elections, where Vaishnaw has been appointed as the BJP’s Maharashtra campaign in-charge. Opposition leaders are now questioning the Railways’ capacity to ensure passenger safety, particularly during high-traffic periods like the festive season.
With several recent railway accidents casting a shadow over the Railways Minister’s tenure, the Bandra incident is likely to intensify scrutiny from political adversaries.
Sources By Agencies
