In a disturbing trend, incidents of stone pelting have been reported on the Ayodhya-bound Aastha Special train from the capital Raipur on 9th of February. According to reports from Swaraj Today, a few anti-Hindu extremist mobs have led to stone pelting from both sides of the train in Sultanpur, Uttar Pradesh. However, precautionary measures by security personnel had already ensured the closure of windows and doors, thereby preventing any harm to passengers, but few stones entered inside the train through windows.
Prior to this incident, stone-pelting incidents had occurred on trains heading to Ayodhya from Surat and Maharashtra. Passengers returning from Ayodhya to Raipur recounted a similar incident: as the train was approaching Sultanpur in the morning, a few anti-Hindu mobs began pelting stones from a distance. Stones were aimed at AC1 and AC5 coaches. Upon witnessing the attack, passengers began closing windows. Additionally, RPF and GRP personnel instructed passengers to close the windows and doors of each coach. Passengers remained in a state of fear until reaching Ayodhya. Upon returning to Raipur from Ayodhya, passengers opened their windows only after the train passed through Uttar Pradesh.
Stones thrown from multiple directions at Aastha special train
When the train was attacked, stones were thrown from multiple directions simultaneously, indicating the involvement of a crowd rather than individual perpetrators. Despite the closure of the windows and doors of the train, several stones managed to make their way inside the coaches. Upon receiving information, teams from the Government Railway Police (GRP) and Railway Protection Force (RPF) promptly arrived at the scene. After a brief investigation, the train was allowed to continue its journey.
Anti-Hindu extremists target Aastha trains
In a concerning trend, incidents of stone pelting have plagued the journey of Aastha trains heading to Ayodhya in recent weeks. The attacks have not spared the Aastha train passing through Raipur, along with others. Reports indicate that the Aastha train, originating from Surat, Gujarat, was also subjected to a stone-pelting incident last Sunday. Similarly, an assault occurred previously on the Aastha train originating from Maharashtra. The Railway Protection Force (RPF) and Government Railway Police (GRP) have launched investigations into these incidents. Despite efforts, authorities have failed to apprehend the anti-Hindu extremist perpetrators responsible for these attacks.
The incident has prompted pilgrims to demand increased security from both the state and central governments from such anti-Hindu mobs. Since the opening of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya to the public on January 23, millions of Ram Lalla devotees have been visiting the site daily. While the central government has arranged special trains for pilgrims nationwide, continuous stone-pelting incidents have left pilgrims in fear.
In a reflection of the Sultanpur incident, a comparable event unfolded in Karnataka. The railway authorities in Vijayanagara district, took prompt action when a group of Islamist youth threatened to set ablaze a train returning from Ayodhya. The persecution of Hindu Dharma is not a recent phenomenon; rather, it persists due to the actions of a small group of extremist Islamists. This trend is escalating, particularly following the Ram Lalla Prana Pratishtha.
