A passenger’s account of what he described as the “worst train journey experience” aboard the Mysore Vande Bharat Express has ignited a discussion on parenting etiquette and civic sense in public spaces.
Ajay Kumar took to social media platform X on May 29 to share his experience while travelling from Chennai to Bengaluru. According to his post, disruptive behaviour by children and the lack of intervention from their parents made the journey uncomfortable and frustrating.
Passenger recounts uncomfortable incidents
Ajay claimed he was seated beside a young child who repeatedly kicked him, fell on him and nearly caused him to spill his tea during the journey. He alleged that the child’s father remained silent and did not attempt to correct the behaviour.
He also mentioned another child seated in front of him who repeatedly pushed the seat backwards, making it difficult for him to work on his laptop. According to Ajay, the seat frequently hit his knees and nearly caused his laptop to shut.
While stressing that children should be free to enjoy train journeys, he argued that parents should step in when their actions begin affecting fellow passengers.
Social media divided over parenting responsibility
The post quickly gained attention online, with many users sympathising with the passenger’s experience. Several commenters said inattentive parenting often leads to inconvenience for others in public places.
Others pointed to a broader issue of declining civic sense, arguing that both children and adults can create disturbances during travel.
However, some users offered a different perspective, noting that noisy groups of adult passengers can be equally disruptive on trains and public transport.
Debate extends beyond train travel
The incident has triggered wider conversations about shared public spaces, responsible parenting and passenger etiquette. Many social media users agreed that while children naturally become excited during travel, parents play a crucial role in ensuring their behaviour does not negatively affect others.
The discussion continues to resonate online, highlighting the balance between allowing children to enjoy journeys and respecting the comfort of fellow travellers.