A 55-year-old man was removed from a long-distance train after allegedly lighting a ‘diya’ (lamp) on his berth for prayers. The incident prompted officials to file a police report against him. Authorities confirmed the action taken on Tuesday, highlighting the ongoing discussions around religious practices in public spaces.
The Central Railway (CR) appealed to passengers not to carry inflammable articles or light diyas, candles or incense sticks inside trains, warning that such acts could lead to fires and endanger the lives of travellers. However, the passenger allegedly insisted on completing his prayers before putting it out. 12782 (Hazrat Nizamuddin-Mysuru Express) on August 31. After being alerted, authorities sent a ticket checking staffer to coach A-1, where the passenger, identified as Gariba of Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh, had lit a diya on berth No. 17, the CR said.
Officials said the incident took place aboard Train No. It said that the TTE (travelling ticket examiner) had asked the passenger to extinguish the open flame, explaining that it could cause a fire and endanger passengers and railway property. The incident was also recorded on the TTE’s mobile phone, the Central Railway said.
