The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has voiced profound sorrow over the recent rail accident in New Jalpaiguri, West Bengal, extending prayers for the deceased and wishes for a swift recovery for the injured. In the wake of yet another tragic rail incident, AAP has criticized the silence of the Railway Minister and the Central Government, calling attention to a pattern of unanswered questions following such disasters.
AAP National General Secretary (Organisation) Dr. Sandeep Pathak labeled the accident as deeply heart-wrenching and demanded accountability from the Prime Minister and the Railway Minister. He questioned whether the collision resulted from signal failures or errors and inquired about the presence of anti-collision devices. The AAP urged the government to take moral responsibility instead of deflecting blame onto officials.
AAP’s National General Secretary (Organization) Dr. Sandeep Pathak said that once again a train accident has occurred in West Bengal. 5 people have lost their lives in this accident and many people have been injured. We have full sympathy with the families of those who have lost their lives. We hope that the injured people in the accident are treated immediately. The Prime Minister and Railway Minister of the country should answer how long will such train accidents keep happening in our country. You talk about running bullet trains in the country but are not able to provide safety to an ordinary passenger from train accidents. How will this work?
The AAP National General Secretary (Organisation) further added that the Union Railway Minister should answer these questions of the people of the country. First, it is being told that both the trains were running on the same track, so did your signal system fail or was there any human error in it? Second, were anti-collision devices installed in these trains? If they were installed, then why did this accident happen and if they were not installed, then when will anti-collision devices be installed in these trains?
“The Modi government has been talking about this ‘Kavach’ (protection device) for years, what progress has been made in it? The condition of the country does not improve by just talking big. For this you will have to work on basic things like security,” he added.
Dr. Sandeep Pathak stated, “The question arises that who among the Prime Minister and the Railway Minister will take moral responsibility for these train accidents? The entire system of railways has collapsed. Today this entire institution is in danger. We request the Prime Minister and the Railway Minister that you should take moral responsibility for this accident and immediately resign from your post.”
On the other hand, AAP Rajya Sabha MP Shri Sanjay Singh said that Indian Railways is in a very bad state. The Railway Minister only makes big claims. Despite the train accident at Balasore in Odisha, he was made the Railway Minister again. It is not known for what he has been rewarded. Today, in trains, from general coaches to second and third AC coaches, people are packed like straws. They are being treated like animals. Even in this scorching heat, people are forced to travel in these train coaches with their small children.
“Another investigation committee will be set up to investigate this train accident, a couple of statements will be given and later the matter will be hushed up by whitewashing it. The Railway Minister or any officer will not take responsibility for this accident, a couple of lower-ranking officers at the bottom of the hierarchy will be suspended. This is extremely unfortunate. People should keep these things in their hearts and minds so that they can answer them when the time comes. The public has answered it before, it will have to be answered even more strongly in the future,” MP Shri Sanjay Singh mentioned.
