In recent years, there has been an increase in reports of rail attacks and mysterious accidents, with some linked to terrorist activities. Recently, a potential disaster was averted in Kanpur thanks to the quick thinking of a loco pilot, preventing an attempt to blow up the Kalindi Express. This incident occurred at around 8:25 p.m. on the train traveling between Prayagraj and Bhiwani.
Following this, the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) and Intelligence Bureau (IB) took charge of the situation, leading to various conspiracy theories emerging on social media. One of these theories, known as “Rail Jihad,” has gained traction and sparked concerns.
Viral Video of Alleged “Rail Jihad”
Recently, a video claiming to show an attack on the Vande Bharat Express was widely circulated online, with some associating it with the “Rail Jihad” narrative. The footage depicted a man striking the window glass of the Vande Bharat Express train with a hammer.
These 0.5 fronts are the real enemy of India. As per you, What punishment should be given to people like him ? pic.twitter.com/juZaCnI2N4
— Baba Banaras™ (@RealBababanaras) September 10, 2024
Linking the Video to “Rail Jihad”
As the video spread across social media, it triggered widespread outrage. While many condemned the incident, some began speculating about the man’s religion, alleging he was a Muslim and claiming it was part of “Rail Jihad.” These assertions soon turned the matter into a communal issue, leading to heated debates online.
वायरल करो इसे-
ट्रेन को 'पलटाने' की तैयारी हो रही है।
क्या ये “ रेल जिहाद ” है..
😡😡 pic.twitter.com/Gs8nkW0OJf— Sudhir Mishra 🇮🇳 (@Sudhir_mish) August 30, 2024
@nehafolksinger का शांति प्रिय भाई भारत के विकास मे अपना योगदान देता हुआ जैसे उसकी दीदी रोज रेल जिहाद का विडिओ पोस्ट करती है लेकिन आज नहीं करेंगी..!! pic.twitter.com/8SoYw2glOM
— santosh Shrama (@OmShrama223821) September 10, 2024
"रेल जिहाद"
सब कुछ इनके अब्बा का है। pic.twitter.com/0kW1Nzuas1
— Pradeep Maikhuri (@PradeepMaikhur3) September 10, 2024
🤔 *रेल जिहाद अभी रुका नहीं l यह वीडियो कर्नाटक के किसी स्थान का बताया जा रहा है*
पूरे हिन्दुस्तान मे रेल्वे स्टेशन और रेल्वे लाइन के किनारे इनकी अवैध मस्जिदे, मीनारे, कब्र, दरगाह और मजारे लाखो की तादाद मे है l
*इस आदम जात जिहादीयो ने पूरा रेल्वे का नेट वर्क हैक कर लिया है pic.twitter.com/Gzc8oEUneC
— 🇮🇳Jitendra pratap singh🇮🇳 (@jpsin1) September 6, 2024
The Reality Behind the Viral Video
However, a thorough investigation by India Today debunked these claims circulating on social media. In reality, the video showed routine maintenance work on the train.
The man in the footage was not involved in any form of sabotage; rather, he was replacing the broken window glass as part of his duties. He works as a contract laborer for Indian Railways in Ahmedabad and is not Muslim.
This is how #VandeBharatTrain glass is replaced, this protocol is followed at maintenance pits as:
• Quick & easy
• Glass glued tightly
• Less TAT for train at pit lines
Meanwhile proper procedure is followed at workshop where train goes for schedule maintenance every 2yrs. https://t.co/UHx2OWcT9C pic.twitter.com/POkBVeevow— Trains of India (@trainwalebhaiya) September 10, 2024
No, He isn’t damaging the train but breaking an already damaged glass to replace it with a new one at maintenance depot, as the glass is glued tightly with the body it needs to be broken first.pic.twitter.com/RLfn2Byf1i
— Trains of India (@trainwalebhaiya) September 10, 2024
The damage in the video was due to standard wear and tear that high-speed trains often experience, not deliberate vandalism. Despite this, the video continued to spread with misleading captions, fueling unnecessary fear and communal tension.
Recently, India’s security agencies released a video of Farhatullah Gori, a terrorist based in Pakistan, demonstrating how to make explosives using household items like pressure cookers. The release of this video coincided with frequent train accidents across India, causing concern that radicals might be targeting railways using sabotage techniques.
The viral video involving the Vande Bharat Express underscores the dangers of misinformation, particularly when it intensifies pre-existing community tensions.
We encourage readers to share their views on this matter in the comment section below.
