The Railway Ministry on Wednesday refuted Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s claims that a candidate died inside a train in Patna.
The Railways said it has taken note of the video shared by the Congress leader on X and has launched an investigation into the incident, which reportedly took place at Pataliputra station in the Bihar capital.
“Clarification: Reports in some media and the statement of LoP Shri Rahul Gandhi claiming death of a student on board a train at Patliputra station are incorrect,” the ministry said in a post on X website.
The ministry said that the person who appeared in the viral video appeared to be suffering from a medical condition or fatigue.
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“We have checked all the records. There was no incident as reported at Patliputra station,” she added.
Sharing the now-deleted video, the Congress leader criticized the government, saying it had failed to provide a safe journey to its students during exams.
“This video has shocked me to the core,” he wrote in a post on X. “These are the helpless youth of India – whose government is wasting billions and billions on fellow billionaires, yet cannot even provide a safe ride for its students.”
Gandhi’s comments were a response to another post on X which was essentially making a comparison between the two “Indias”.
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1. Vande Bharat 2. A person who dies due to suffocation due to inability to breathe.
The Congress leader said the video showed that the Modi government had no intention of listening to the concerns of students. “Is there greater proof that the Modi government has no intention of listening to the cries of students,” he said.
Gandhi’s post was also part of the protest he organized in Kota on Wednesday (June 17), titled ‘Chatron Ki Jung’. The “Mega Kota Rally” is organized against paper leaks, alleged examination mismanagement, cancellation of recruitment, high fees, privatization and corruption.
“But I promise you this – we will carry this voice to those deaf ears. Every student will get his right, justice. On June 17, Kota. This echo will now turn into a battle cry,” Gandhi said.
Gandhi arrives in Kota
Gandhi, who arrived in Kota, said that as he was leaving to participate in the protest, he remembered “Umesh in Sikar and Rhea in Dehradun, two students who ended their lives under the pressure of repeating NEET”.
“I set off for Kota, but there are two names that resonate in my heart: Umesh and Riya.”
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“These deaths are the result of a corrupt and dysfunctional system. Those responsible for them are the Modi government and Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, who, instead of protecting students, have repeatedly protected paper leaks, exam mismanagement, and future destroyers.”
“Every family’s pain will now echo across the country as the ‘Voice of the Students’.”
“My fellow youth and Gen Z comrades, one thing is clear in my mind, and you should engrave it in your hearts as well: Securing the future of every young person in India is the government’s responsibility. But responsibility and honesty – both are outside the Modi government’s way of thinking,” he said a day before the protest.
“Paper leaks, exam mismanagement, hiring cancellations, sky-high fees, privatization, fraud – these are the same tools with which millions of dreams are shattered every day.”
“Remember, the future of the youth will determine the future of the nation. This is what I wanted to tell you in detail. That is why I am calling you – let us turn the ‘echo of students’ rising from every street, every town, every city in the country into a battle cry in Kuta.”
