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Passenger Assaulted On Train, But Internet Can't Look Past ‘Desi Zelensky'
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The video shows a young man being threatened and reportedly beaten for demanding a bill for his purchase from the pantry.
There has been a worrying rise in incidents of violence against train passengers, with many alleging apathetic responses from pantry staff when grievances are raised. In a recent incident that has gone viral on social media, a video shows a young man being threatened simply for asking for the bill for a bottle of water he purchased from a vendor. The clip has reignited conversations around passenger rights and safety during train travel.
What started as a mere conversation quickly escalated into a heated argument, with the pantry manager also entering the scene. As claimed by the passenger named Saurabh Kum, he was not just threatened but also assaulted and beaten by the railway staff for voicing his opposition to the overpricing of food items.
ये होता है indianrailway में पैसेंजर के साथ, पैंट्री स्टाफ जब ओवरचार्जिंग कर रहा था तो मैं जब उसका वीडियो बनाया तो मेरे साथ मार पिट किया गया गाली और धमकी भी दी गई। मदद चाहिए मुझे, अब तो ट्रेन में जाने से भी डर लगता है। @IRCTCofficial @CMOfficeUP @AshwiniVaishnaw @IndianRailMedia — Saurabh Kumar (@SaurabhKum86112) June 23, 2025
Since being shared, the video has gone widely viral, drawing sharp reactions on the Internet. While many were seen calling out the unacceptable conduct towards passengers, demanding action from Indian Railways, a section of users had a fair share of entertainment. Many pointed out how the involved pantry manager looked like Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. One joked, 'Zelensky has also come to experience Indian local trains."
Another added, 'Green T-shirt guy looks like Zelensky." A user poked fun at the Ukrainian president and commented, 'Zelensky in an Indian train after escape from Russia."
'What is Sasta Zelensky doing in an Indian Train?" a comment read. Another one added, 'Zelensky fighting in an Indian Train."
Amid the jokes, the original matter caught the attention of the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC). In response to Saurabh's X post about being beaten and threatened, IRCTC assured that the culprits have been penalised. 'Sir, we regret the inconvenience caused to you. The matter has been taken very seriously, and a fine has been imposed on the concerned service provider," it wrote.
महोदय, आपको हुई असुविधा के लिए खेद है। मामले को बहुत गंभीरता से लिया गया है और संबंधित सेवा प्रदाता पर जुर्माना लगाया गया है।— IRCTC (@IRCTCofficial) June 24, 2025
The incident took place only weeks after another similar instance that was reported by a travel vlogger. While travelling on the Hemkunt Express, the vlogger named Vishal Sharma claimed that the vendor overcharged the passengers for food and water. Upon raising a complaint, he was attacked by a group of people and assaulted.
This is The Passenger Security in 3rd AC of Indian Railway #shame || When I complained about overcharging in Train by Pantry , an attempt was made to kill me 😭😭 Train no.14609 PNR – 2434633402 @RailMinIndia @IRCTCofficial @narendramodi @RailwayNorthern @AshwiniVaishnaw — (@Mrvishalsharma_) May 7, 2025
In the clip, the vendor could be seen trying to pull down Vishal by his leg. The vlogger also showed injury marks on his hands and torn clothes. 'This is the passenger security in 3rd AC of Indian Railway #shame || When I complained about overcharging in the Train by the Pantry, an attempt was made to kill me," he wrote in the caption.
The incident sparked widespread outrage online, prompting Indian Railways to terminate the vendor's services for five years and impose a penalty of Rs 5 lakhs.
