Aaditya Thackeray slams Ashwini Vaishnaw after Bandra stampede, calls him ‘incapable’

New Delhi: After a stampede at Mumbai’s Bandra railway station left nine people injured on Sunday, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray came down heavily on union railways minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, and called him “incapable”.

Taking to X, Aaditya said, “Wish the reel minister was a rail minister for once. The incident at Bandra only reflects how incapable the current Railways Minister is. The BJP has made Ashwini Vaishnav ji, a prabhari for BJP Maharashtra for elections, but every week there are some incidents and accidents that occur with the railways. Such a shame that our country has been forced under such incapable ministers.”

Wish the reel minister was a rail minister for once. The incident at Bandra only reflects how incapable the current Railways Minister is.

The bjp has made Ashwini Vaishnav ji, a prabhari for bjp Maharashtra for elections, but every week there are some incidents and accidents…

— Aaditya Thackeray (@AUThackeray) October 27, 2024

In a statement, the Western Railways said, “On 27.10.2024 at about 02.45 hrs, passenger train number 22921 Antyodaya Express was slowly being placed on platform number 01 from the BDTS yard, when some passengers present on the platform tried to board the moving train and 02 passengers fell and got injured.”

How the stampede broke out

Officials said the stampede occurred due to the rush of passengers ahead of Diwali and Chhath festivals. Hordes of people were planning to go to their hometowns and gathered at the Bandra Terminus. The stampede happened as people rushed to board a Gorakhpur-bound train.

The Antyodaya Express was moving slowly from the BDTS (Bandra Terminus) yard towards the platform, when some people tried to board it. Two passengers fell and were injured. Almost 1,500 people were on the platform when the train moved in and a stampede ensued. Some people also reportedly fell on the tracks. The RPF, GRP, and Home Guard officers swung into action and immediately admitted the injured passengers to the nearby Bhabha Government Hospital.