New Delhi – A Congress member in New Delhi has written to India’s Railway Minister, Ashwini Vaishnaw, demanding urgent action to protect women on trains after a shocking incident in Kerala.
On Monday, MP K.C. Venugopal posted a brief note on X, explaining that the rise in crimes against women on railways is a serious concern. He referred to a recent case where a 19‑year‑old woman was allegedly shoved off a moving train near Varkala by an intoxicated man. The woman was badly injured and was rushed to Sree Narayana Mission Hospital before being transferred to Thiruvananthapuram Medical College.
In a formal letter dated November 2, Venugopal called the incident a “grave vulnerability” and urged the state government and the Railway Ministry to strengthen safety on domestic routes. He said the Kerala Express, train number 12626, was the site of the attack. The attacker also tried to push the victim’s friend, who managed to stay on the train.
The MP highlighted that the “unprovoked act of violence” reflects a broader pattern of impunity that continues to endanger women everywhere on Indian Railways.
Venugopal pointed out that this is not the first incident. In February, a 36‑year‑old pregnant woman in Tamil Nadu was reportedly pushed off a train near Katpadi during an attempted sexual assault.
He cited recent statistics showing that complaints about passenger safety in trains rose 64% from 4.57 lakh in 2023‑24 to more than 7.5 lakh in 2024‑25. Harassment and physical assaults on women in running trains and at stations are on the rise, he said, which erodes public trust in India’s rail network.
The MP urged the Railway Minister to:
* Increase the presence of onboard security staff
* Strengthen surveillance systems across all stations and cars
* Enforce the use of women‑only coaches where possible
* Conduct a comprehensive audit of safety measures, with regular reporting
“Ensuring the safety of women passengers must be a non‑negotiable priority,” Venugopal wrote. “The railway system must prevent such tragedies from happening again.”
The letter comes amid growing public outrage over the Varkala incident, which has reignited nationwide concerns about women’s safety in public transport. The call for stronger safeguards from a senior Congress leader adds fresh pressure on the Ministry of Railways to act decisively.
Source: ianslive
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