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Jun 06, 2023

Watch: No Accountability, But PR Stunts and Communal Angles After Odisha Train Accident

Union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw was seen raising slogans of “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” and “Vande Mataram" on loud speaker.
Rescue personnel amidst mangled coaches near train accident site in Odisha's Balasore on Saturday, June 3, 2023. Photo: Screengrab from video/Twitter.
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The tragic rail accident in Odisha’s Balasore claimed 275 lives and left more than a thousand people injured. Even after such an incident, the Union government is yet to set accountability.

Union railways minister Ashwini Vaishnav was seen waving to a goods train after down-line restoration work was complete at the accident site. Moreover, the Union minister was also seen raising slogans of “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” and “Vande Mataram” on loud speaker as it was happening.

Furthermore, several right-wing Twitter handles tried to give the accident a communal turn by relating it to the day of the accident, i.e. Friday, and spreading fake news of a mosque near the accident site. Attempts were also made to brand Balasore as the hub of undocumented Rohingya immigrants. However, no such evidence has been published.

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