BJP MLA clarifies over Vande Bharat train scuffle incident, says supporters' behaviour 'unfortunate'
JHANSI: BJP's Babina MLA Rajeev Singh on Thursday clarified his stand on the May 19 incident aboard the Vande Bharat Express, stating that a "misunderstanding" with fellow passengers escalated unnecessarily and that the altercation by his supporters in Jhansi was "unfortunate and unintended".
Addressing a press conference, the MLA said he was travelling with his wife and children from Delhi to Jhansi when he "politely requested" a passenger to swap seats so the family could sit together.
According to the MLA, the passenger and his companion responded rudely and threatened him.
He claimed video evidence now supports his version of events.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
32 minutes ago
- Time of India
'TMC-associated goons' committing atrocities on daughters of Bengal: Dharmendra Pradhan
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan condemned the alleged gang rape of a law student in Kolkata, accusing TMC-affiliated individuals of perpetrating atrocities against women in West Bengal. He criticized Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's silence and asserted that the state's conscience is shocked by such brutalities. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Expressing outrage over the alleged gang rape of a student in a law college in Kolkata, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Sunday alleged that "goons associated with the ruling TMC" were committing atrocities on "daughters of the state" while Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee remained silent on the senior BJP leader, who was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a programme at Panihati in North 24 Parganas district, said that West Bengal, which used to show the way to the country, is now "shocking the conscience" of the entire nation with brutalities like R G Kar medic's rape and murder and now the alleged gang rape of a woman at South Kolkata Law College."In a state where luminaries like Rabindranath Tagore, Iswar Chandra Vidyasagar, Swami Vivekananda and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose were born, a state which used to show the way to the country, is now witnessing back-to-back incidents of atrocity against women by goons sheltered and associated with the ruling party," he the RG Kar case, a civic police volunteer was involved, and in this case, there are allegations of direct involvement of goondas associated with the TMC, he said."Such incidents shocked the conscience of the nation and disturbed every right-thinking citizen of the country about the safety of women," the BJP leader that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is remaining mum on the incident, he said, "We don't know when Mamata Didi will take note. But she will certainly be given the right message by the people of West Bengal when this brutal, ruthless and inhuman regime is dislodged from power in the 2026 assembly polls."Pradhan said while Leader of Opposition in the state assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, will highlight the lawlessness in the state in the House, state BJP president Sukanta Majumdar will voice people's grievances in street at a function attended by academics close to the BJP, Pradhan said campus security is under the domain of the state called for proper surveillance of educational institutions' campuses, prevention of entry of unwanted elements and regulation of entry of outsiders during office hours."It is reported those involved are former TMC student wing office-bearers. Why is the TMC government not holding student union polls in colleges? Why did it nominate people having such criminal antecedents at the outset?" he years, no student union polls have been held in higher educational institutions and former TMCP leaders are running the show, intimidating general students, he called upon people to launch a spontaneous protest against the TMC government.
New Indian Express
an hour ago
- New Indian Express
Spreading Gita's message in 'mohallas' will strengthen Hindu Rashtra: Maharashtra minister Rane
PUNE: Maharashtra Minister and BJP leader Nitesh Rane said on Sunday that the idea of the Hindu Rashtra would be strengthened if teachings of the Bhagavad Gita were propagated in "mohallas" for the "transformation of thoughts". Noting that the Gita never preaches hatred or advocates (religious) conversions, Rane said, "If its teachings spread to mohallas (Muslim areas), even their thoughts will transform. This will make our Hindu Rashtra stronger". "Teachings of the Bhagavad Gita promote harmony and transformation of thought. Its message should reach every corner," he told reporters. Amid a row over the inclusion of Hindi in the school curriculum from class 1 and demonstrations staged by the Opposition, Rane said, "No language is being made compulsory. Students can opt for Sanskrit as the third language if they wish". The BJP leader claimed he never heard lyricist Javed Akhtar, actor Aamir Khan, or Congress leader Rahul Gandhi speaking in the Marathi language. The Shiv Sena (UBT) and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) have announced to organise a joint march against the "imposition" of Hindi in schools on July 5. "Why not hold rallies in areas like Behrampada or Mohammad Ali Road? These are the places where Hindi is spoken. The day 'azaan' (Islamic call for prayer) is delivered in Marathi, we will know there is true respect for the language," he told reporters. Rane further suggested that instead of deepening divides among Hindus, efforts should be made to teach Marathi to those who have lived in Mumbai for decades but have not embraced the language. When asked about Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar advocating the introduction of Hindi from class 5, Rane said Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis will speak with Pawar. He took a veiled swipe at Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray over the choice of language. "If you studied at Bombay Scottish, why did you not choose Sanskrit? Why Spanish or French?" he asked.
Hans India
an hour ago
- Hans India
Rahul Gandhi condoles Puri deaths, seeks probe into stampede
New Delhi: Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Sunday condoled the deaths in the Puri stampede, describing the incident a 'serious warning' on the lapses in security and crowd management during the Rath Yatra. He also demanded punishment for the guilty. 'The stampede incident during the Rath Yatra in Puri is extremely tragic. I express my deep condolences to the bereaved families and hope for the speedy recovery of the injured devotees,' wrote Gandhi on X. 'I appeal to the Odisha government to expedite relief efforts and urge Congress workers to provide every possible assistance in this regard,' he said. Pointing an accusing finger at the BJP government in Odisha, he said, 'This tragedy is a serious warning – for such large events, security arrangements and crowd management preparations must be taken seriously and thoroughly reviewed. Protecting lives is paramount, and no lapses in this responsibility are acceptable.' At least three devotees were killed while six others are undergoing treatment at the hospital, till reports last came in. The stampede occurred between 4 a.m. and 4.30 a.m. on Sunday, according to Odisha officials. Following the stampede, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi extended an apology to the devotees of Lord Jagannath on Sunday and ordered an immediate investigation into the security lapses. Earlier, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge joined Gandhi in sympathising with the victims' kin and demanded a probe into 'negligence and mismanagement' behind the incident. Kharge wrote on X, 'The State Government and authorities must conduct a thorough investigation into the grave lapses that caused this incident. Ensuring public safety and effective crowd management is paramount, especially during pre-planned festivities. Those responsible for this tragedy must be held accountable under the law.' The Congress President said, 'I am deeply pained by the stampede during the Mahaprabhu Jagannath Rath Yatra, which claimed three lives and injured at least 50 people. This tragedy follows reports of 500 devotees being injured on Friday during the yatra.' 'My thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims. I wish a speedy recovery to all the injured devotees. The negligence and mismanagement that led to this tragedy are inexcusable,' he said. The Congress stands in solidarity with the devotees and commits to supporting all efforts to provide relief, medical assistance, and aid to the affected families, he said.
