Aaditya Thackeray Criticizes Railways Minister Over Bandra Stampede Incident

Shiv Sena’s Aaditya Thackeray criticized Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw following a stampede at Mumbai’s Bandra station that injured nine passengers. The incident occurred as crowds attempted to board a Gorakhpur-bound train. Thackeray called for stronger leadership, highlighting safety concerns amid increased holiday travel, and urged improved crowd management measures.

In response to a recent stampede at Mumbai’s Bandra railway station, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray criticized Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, calling him "incapable" and accusing the government of neglecting passenger safety. The incident, which occurred in the early hours as crowds gathered to board a Gorakhpur-bound train, left nine passengers injured. Thackeray's remarks, shared on social media, highlighted his dissatisfaction with the minister's dual roles, emphasizing that recent rail accidents reflected "a lack of leadership" in railway management.

The stampede unfolded at around 2:45 a.m. on Platform 1 of Bandra Terminus. According to Western Railway officials, as train number 22921 Antyodaya Express slowly moved towards the platform from the yard, eager passengers attempted to board the moving train, leading to a chaotic rush where two people fell and were injured. The incident, reported amid heavy holiday traffic ahead of Diwali and Chhath festivals, underlines challenges related to railway safety as passenger volumes increase during festive seasons.

Railway officials and local police, including the Railway Protection Force (RPF) and Government Railway Police (GRP), quickly intervened, transporting the injured to Bhabha Government Hospital, where their conditions were later reported as stable. Thackeray’s criticism added pressure on the administration to address ongoing concerns about passenger safety and infrastructure.

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As the Railways continues to face public scrutiny over its handling of crowded platforms and safety protocols, the incident raises questions about preparedness during peak travel periods and the need for better crowd management.