Railway Minister Under Fire After Howrah-Mumbai Mail Derailment

In the wake of the Howrah-Mumbai Mail derailment, the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) criticized Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw for focusing on social media over passenger safety. The ruling party held the railway minister and central government responsible for the accident that killed two and injured 20.

Hours after the Howrah-Mumbai Mail derailed in Jharkhand, the JMM on Tuesday criticized Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw for his apparent focus on social media instead of rail safety. The ruling party in Jharkhand has stated that the railway minister and the central government bear full responsibility for the tragic accident.

In a post on X, a spokesperson for JMM clarified that neither Hemant Soren nor the INDIA Bloc were involved in the incident. The party accused the railway minister of prioritizing social media engagements while neglecting passenger safety and tagged former chief minister Babulal Marandi, urging him to redirect focus.

The derailment occurred at 3.45 AM near Barabamboo in Seraikela-Kharsawan district, resulting in two fatalities and injuring 20 others. South Eastern Railway spokesperson Om Prakash Charan reported that a goods train was also derailed nearby, but it remains unclear if the accidents were connected.

West Singhbhum Deputy Commissioner Kuldeep Chaudhary stated that the Howrah-Mumbai Mail had struck a stationary goods train. Former Jharkhand Chief Minister Champai Soren has called for a thorough investigation and corrective measures to address frequent train accidents.