Prayagraj, India – Devotees on their way to the Maha Kumbh festival in Prayagraj faced a frightening ordeal when their train was attacked with stones at Madhubani railway station in Bihar. The incident occurred on the Swatantrata Senani Express, which was en route to the religious gathering. Crowds, unable to board the overcrowded train, resorted to breaking windows to force their way in, as reported by India Today.
Witnesses described how devotees packed into the AC coaches refused to open the doors, leading to tension as the station became increasingly crowded. Frustration boiled over, and some individuals began hurling stones at the train, shattering windows in an attempt to gain entry.
A social media video captured the chaos, showing passengers inside the train as a window collapsed on them amidst the chaos. The situation escalated further between Madhubani and Darbhanga, where additional devotees attacked the AC coaches, causing damage to multiple windows, disrupting the journey for everyone on board the train.
As the train made its way to Prayagraj, further chaos unfolded at Samastipur station. Large crowds breached the train through broken windows, prompting railway police to struggle in controlling the unruly situation. Additionally, medical teams dispatched to aid injured passengers were unable to reach the train due to the overwhelming crowd. Despite the delays and disturbances, the train eventually departed for Prayagraj nearly an hour behind schedule.
This incident was not an isolated one, as similar violence erupted in January at railway stations in Madhya Pradesh. Passengers of the overcrowded Maha Kumbh Special Train faced violence when they were unable to board, leading to the destruction of train windows amidst the chaos. These incidents highlight the challenges faced by pilgrims and travelers on their way to religious festivals in India.