New Delhi: Union Minister Giriraj Singh has afresh stirred a political hornet’s nest, pointing an accusing finger at sleeper cells linked to Pakistan for the recent spate of train derailments across India. The remark by Singh has heightened tensions between the ruling BJP and its opposition, particularly after he claimed that the attacks included members of a “particular community.”
Singh then took to X, formerly Twitter, and accused opposition leaders of keeping mum as some of them had sleeper cells of these terror groups. “Sleeper cells of terrorists sitting in Pakistan are doing these train attacks,” Singh wrote. He further claimed that opposition leaders like Congress’s Rahul Gandhi and Samajwadi Party’s Akhilesh Yadav were “political sleeper cells” who refused to address the issue.
Viral Videos Spark Widespread Alarm
Singh’s charges come amidst a spate of viral videos that have surfaced online, showing people putting up obstacles on railway tracks. In one shocking video, some children are seen using hammers to remove the joints of the tracks after being apparently instructed by unknown adults. All these incidents have raised eyebrows in suspicion of possible sabotage in the Indian railway network.
Earlier this month, the police arrested a 24-year-old man from Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh for putting objects like cylinders of gas and bricks on the railway tracks. Authorities suspect these acts are part of a larger, coordinated effort to destabilize the nation’s rail system.
In a similar attempt on August 18, an iron rod kept on the rails in Kachhpura near the railway station in Madhya Pradesh made a speeding train escape derailment. Such incidents have caused delays besides raising concerns over the safety of Indian Railways.
Railway Minister Calls for Apolitical Approach
Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has responded to the growing controversy by asking all political parties to keep railway safety above politics. “The railway is the lifeline of the nation, and it should not be subject to political blame games,” he said while speaking at a cabinet briefing a few days ago.
The Minister further confirmed that a detailed inquiry is in progress into each derailment incident and said there were “disturbing trends” emerging in recent incidents. He underlined that both the Intelligence Bureau and Uttar Pradesh Police were investigating the derailments, with special emphasis on the incident relating to Sabarmati Express, where evidence suggested sabotage.
Vaishnaw further stressed that politicizing rail safety would impede efforts toward a solution for these security concerns and called on all to work together toward smooth functioning of the country’s vast rail network.
Political Blame Game Intensifies
Despite Vaishnaw’s call for restraint, Giriraj Singh’s accusations only further escalated the political blame game, with Singh forcing his accusations right up to asking why opposition leaders have kept mum on the derailments.
“Why is Rahul Gandhi silent? Why are opposition leaders not condemning these acts which endanger lives?” Singh further asked, accusing the political tension.
Opposition leaders have denied Singh’s allegations as divisive and inflammatory. Congress said BJP was resorting to scaremongering to divert attention from substantive issues while Samajwadi Party’s Akhilesh Yadav slammed Singh’s remarks as “dangerous and polarizing”.
Railway Safety Data Shows Mixed Picture
But amidst all the political rhetoric, railway safety is one basic feature. Consequential train accidents have fallen drastically-from 473 in 2000-01 to 40 in 2023-24, says Lok Sabha data. The APMTKM fell more than 95% from 0.65 in 2000-01 to 0.03 in 2023-24.
However, the recent incidents have shed light on the weaknesses in the network. Though generally safety has become better, this developing pattern of possible sabotage upped the ante to be more vigilant with intensified security measures.
As the investigations proceed, both the government and opposition are in a difficult position as to the root cause of these derailments. The allegations made by Singh have added another twist to the situation as political leaders spar over what the incidents imply.
The country now awaits with bated breath the report of the detailed inquiries and how the findings will script India’s future railway safety story. Ensuring the security of this vital national asset remains paramount, even as political temperatures continue to rise.
