Octogenarian 'denied' boarding Shatabdi train over Gandhi-style 'dhoti'

KANPUR: An octogenarian draped in Gandhi-style 'dhoti' was allegedly denied entry into Delhi-bound Kanpur-New Delhi Shatabdi, despite having a confirmed ticket.
The incident occurred on Thursday morning when passenger Ram Awadh Das, a native of Musepur Thuratiya in Barabanki, tried to board the train at Etawah junction.
As per Das, the Government Railway Police (GRP) and coach attendant did not allow him to board the train as he was dressed in Gandhi-style ‘dhoti’. However, the complaint received by railway authorities of Etawah junction did not have a mention of dress as a specific cause behind the rude behaviour of railway men.
"Act of GRP and coach attendant only reminds me of British era. Though I was a bonafide passenger and had a confirmed train ticket to Ghaziabad from Etawah, the GRP cops and the coach attendant denied me entry into the train as I was wearing Gandhi -style `dhoti' and carrying an umbrella. I am deeply pained over their behaviour," said Das, a seer, while talking to TOI over phone.
Das told TOI that despite he pleaded repeatedly and showed GRP men his confirmed ticket they didn't allowed him.
"They told me... Baba you have boarded a wrong train. Tumhari train Kanpur mein hai, aur wo iske peeche aa rahi hai' (Your train is in Kanpur and it is behind this train and will reach Etawah shortly).'
The train which had arrived at 7.40 am at Etawah railway station left for its onward journey at around 7:42 am.
"All my pleas fell on deaf ears of the two GRP men and finally I missed the train," he said, adding "I will also lodge a complaint with Railway ministry soon".
The complaint lodged by Ram Aawdh Das at Etawah railway station mentioned that the incident took place on July 4 morning at Etawah junction from where he had a confirmed ticket in C-2 coach seat number 71 in Shatabdi Express, which he was supposed to board. Das had come to meet his follower in Etawah from his native place in Barabanki. He had a reservation from Etawah to Ghaziabad, where he was going to visit his other followers.
“Guruji (Ram Aawdh Das) visits our Indrapuram residence in Etawah every year to take part in religious event. He was supposed to board Shatabdi to leave for Ghaziabad,” said Satyadeo, a follower of Ram Awadh Das.
Etawah station superintendent Puranmal Meena said, "We have received a complaint in this regard and are trying to get in touch with Ram Awadh Das. Going by the initial findings, we have come to know that he had wrongly boarded a power coach of the train. On being checked by GRP staff, he alighted the coach and tried to reach the actual coach but since train has just two-minute stoppage at Etawah station, he couldn't managed to do so and the train left for it's onward journey.
However, Meena said:"A probe would be conducted. If any railway staff would be found guilty, he/she may face strict action."