Rahul Gandhi says he will put across the concerns of Railway porters to the government

Lok Sabha LoP and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi meets porters (coolies), at New Delhi Railway Station on Saturday (March 1, 2025).
| Photo Credit: X/Congress via ANI

The Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday (March 5, 2025) said the “increasing number of stampedes at railway stations and other public places” was a matter of great concern, and that there was a need to think of ways to prevent such tragedies.

Mr. Gandhi also urged people to share suggestions on the ‘Awaaz Bharat Ki’ (the voice of India) portal to improve crowd management and strengthen security.

“We need to think together about how to prevent such tragedies,” Mr. Gandhi said in a post on social media platform X, adding, ”We will listen to the voice of India!”

The former Congress chief also posted a video of his recent interaction with porters, who had risked their lives to help passengers during the stampede at the New Delhi Railway Station on February 15.

He thanked them for saving many lives and helping in the relief work and assured them of “placing their demands before the government”.

“’On some days, we don’t even have money to eat. We either send money home or eat food.’ Our porter brothers are forced to live in such difficulties,” Mr. Gandhi said, quoting one of the porters, in the X post accompanying the video.

“During the stampede at New Delhi Railway Station, these people risked their lives to help people, but their voice is not being heard. I will put their demands before the government and fight with all my might for their rights!” he added.

At least 18 people were killed in the February 15 incident at the New Delhi Railway Station, which had witnessed a surge of passengers waiting to board trains for the Maha Kumbh at Prayagraj.

“I am very impressed to see the compassion of these brothers who come to earn daily wages. They are still living in financial difficulties — but are full of passion and goodwill. They need help, about which they conveyed their demands. I will definitely make every possible effort to help them,” Mr. Gandhi said.