A ticket collector with Western Railway, Ashish Pande, has ignited controversy following remarks perceived as discriminatory in opposition to the Marathi and Muslim communities. Pande, initially from Uttar Pradesh and residing in Vikhroli, Mumbai, allegedly declared his refusal to assist companies operated by people from these communities or to make use of auto-rickshaws pushed by them.
An audio recording of Pande’s feedback surfaced on the social media platform X (previously Twitter) on September 22, at roughly 5:33 PM, and has since gone viral, amassing practically 1,000 reposts and over 130,000 views in simply 5 hours.
Within the clip, Pande reportedly states, “I do not give enterprise to Muslims and Maharashtrians. I do not sit in autos of Muslims and Maharashtrians,” elevating vital alarm and public outcry all through Maharashtra. The incident has now aggravated tensions inside the area, significantly regarding migrant employees and their relations with native communities.
In response to the backlash, a spokesperson for Western Railway said, “We take this matter very significantly. The employees member making such opposed feedback about spiritual communities and Maharashtrians has been suspended instantly, pending an inquiry.” The spokesperson confirmed {that a} complete investigation would comply with to make sure accountability and uphold the integrity of companies offered by the railway.
Pande’s statements have drawn widespread criticism, significantly from the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), a political occasion targeted on advocating for native rights. The MNS confronted Pande immediately, warning him about his behaviour and the potential implications of his feedback.
A social activist emphasised the heightened significance of regional identification and social cohesion, stating, “Pande’s remarks have added gasoline to the continued debate concerning the relationship between migrants and locals within the state.”