Investigation underway into misleading social media posts which ignited false claims of communal angle
Mohammad Alamullah | Clarion India
NEW DELHI – An incident of stone pelting on the Surat-Chapra Express near Jalgaon railway station in Maharashtra has sparked controversy after social media posts and some news outlets attempted to portray it as an attack on a train bound for the Kumbh Mela.
The stone pelting, which caused damage to one of the train’s windows, was reported by a passenger who shared a video online, fuelling concerns that the incident was being politicised.
According to railway police, the incident took place this week when an unknown individual reportedly threw a stone at the B6 coach of the Tapti Ganga Express as it was approaching Jalgaon station. The impact shattered a window, but fortunately no passengers were injured. The train, en route from Surat to Chapra, was promptly stopped at Bhasawal station for an inspection by the Railway Protection Force (RPF). Their investigation confirmed that no one aboard the train had been harmed.
Inspector DH Patil, the in-charge of the RPF Jalgaon police station, clarified that the incident should not be viewed as an attack on the train but rather as an isolated act of vandalism. “Only one coach was targeted, and no injuries were reported,” he stated. “We are investigating the matter thoroughly, and a case has been filed against the unknown person responsible.”
The incident gained traction on social media, with a video uploaded by a passenger claiming that the train was targeted by miscreants near Jalgaon. The passenger, who did not identify themselves in the video, further suggested that the stone pelting was aimed at a train carrying people on their way to the Kumbh Mela. This claim quickly spread across social media platforms, leading some to view the incident through a communal lens.
The passenger who shared the video indicated that they had boarded the train from Udhan Junction in Surat, heading towards Allahabad. They claimed that many passengers on the train were travelling to the Kumbh Mela, which is why some on social media and certain news channels began portraying the event as an attack on a Kumbh Mela-bound train. “This is why some people are attempting to give this incident a communal colour,” the passenger was heard saying in the video.
However, the police have firmly denied this narrative. According to Inspector Patil, the claim that the train was specifically bound for the Kumbh Mela is unsubstantiated. “There is no evidence to suggest that the train was carrying passengers heading to the Kumbh Mela,” he said, adding that the investigation is ongoing to determine the motives behind the stone pelting.
While the video has gone viral, the identity of the person who uploaded it remains unknown. The RPF has registered a case against the unknown individual responsible for the stone pelting, and further inquiries are being conducted.
As the story gained widespread attention, it became evident that certain social media users and even news channels were quick to jump to conclusions, potentially exacerbating tensions by presenting the incident in a misleading context. Experts warn that spreading false or exaggerated claims can lead to unnecessary communal divisions, particularly in sensitive times when large religious gatherings like the Kumbh Mela are underway.
Local authorities have urged the public to avoid jumping to conclusions without official confirmation and to refrain from spreading unverified information. “We advise citizens to rely on verified sources for news and to avoid attributing motives to incidents without proper investigation,” stated a senior police officer involved in the case.
Community leaders have also weighed in on the issue, calling for calm and understanding. “This is a moment to come together as a society, not allow ourselves to be divided by false narratives,” said a local religious leader Mohammad Yusuf. “We must allow the authorities to conduct their investigation and refrain from making assumptions based on hearsay.”