Ashwini Vaishnav Defends Railway Safety: ‘Reel Minister’ Jibe Rebutted

Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has taken a firm stand against the Opposition’s criticisms regarding recent train derailments. During a heated debate in the Lok Sabha, Vaishnaw responded robustly to the Opposition’s allegations, particularly their jibe of labeling him as the ‘Reel Minister.’

Vaishnaw’s Response to Opposition Criticisms

On Thursday, Ashwini Vaishnaw addressed the Lok Sabha, defending the BJP government’s record on railway safety. The Minister was visibly agitated by the Opposition’s remarks, which suggested that his focus was more on social media than on real safety improvements.

Vaishnaw countered the criticism by highlighting the past shortcomings in railway safety measures. He pointed out that the Congress regime had failed to implement crucial safety technologies like Automatic Train Protection (ATP), despite being in power for 58 years.

Critique of Congress and Previous Government

In his speech, Vaishnaw criticized the previous Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government for its track record on railway safety. He stated that under the UPA, the annual average number of accidents was 171. This figure has reportedly decreased by 68 percent during the BJP government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Vaishnaw’s remarks were a direct rebuttal to accusations from the Congress, who have been questioning the current government’s ability to manage railway safety. He used historical comparisons to illustrate improvements in accident rates under the BJP’s watch, contrasting them with the performance during the Congress era.

Incident of Train Derailments and Opposition’s Claims

Recent train derailments have intensified the debate. On July 30, a derailment near Jamshedpur in Jharkhand resulted in two deaths and 22 injuries. The Opposition has seized on such incidents to accuse Vaishnaw of failing in his role. They claimed that during June and July alone, three accidents have occurred under his watch, leading to 17 fatalities.

Vaishnaw rejected these claims, arguing that such criticisms were not only unfair but also politically motivated. He accused the Congress of using social media troll armies to spread misinformation and create fear among the millions of daily railway passengers.

Defending BJP’s Safety Record

Vaishnaw’s defense extended to addressing accusations of neglect and inefficiency. He emphasized that the BJP government has made significant strides in improving railway safety compared to previous administrations. He recalled how former Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee’s tenure saw modest reductions in accident rates, and contrasted this with the current dramatic reductions achieved under the BJP.

Ashwini Vaishnaw’s forceful defense against the Opposition’s ‘reel minister’ jibe underscores his commitment to addressing railway safety issues. Despite recent setbacks and criticisms, he maintains that substantial progress has been made and remains critical of the Opposition’s attempts to politicize safety concerns.