The newly launched Vande Bharat Express, which began its service between Meerut and Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh, faced controversy on its inaugural journey due to an alleged incident of mistreatment on board.

The Vande Bharat Express, flagged off virtually by Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Delhi, was immediately embroiled in a dispute as it left Meerut station. Reports indicate that a girl from Jagriti Vihar was mistreated by individuals identified as BJP workers. According to her account, she was en route to get food from the last compartment when a man allegedly confronted her, saying, “This is the BJP cabin. You cannot go from here. You people do not know us. We are BJP workers.”

The girl reported that she was physically pushed and shoved, and her brother was allegedly beaten when he intervened. She claimed that a man wearing dark glasses slapped her brother, leading to a heated altercation.

The girl’s brother added that the police present on the train, including Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel, appeared to side with the BJP leader. He indicated that the RPF would file a report concerning the incident. The Vande Bharat Express, which has a scheduled travel time of 7 hours and 10 minutes to Lucknow, was carrying school students and other passengers at the time.

A video of the confrontation between BJP workers and other passengers has surfaced on social media, intensifying the controversy. This footage shows a heated exchange and has led to widespread discussion online. Critics suggest that while the Vande Bharat initiative is meant to showcase the government’s commitment to infrastructure, such incidents risk tarnishing its image.

The incident has sparked significant unrest among passengers and highlighted concerns about political influence and security on public transport. The authorities are expected to address the allegations and ensure that such disturbances do not overshadow the new service’s intended positive impact.

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