New Delhi: Politicians mourn the deaths of at least 16 migrant workers on train tracks in Aurangabad, Friday. Here’s what some said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi says he was “anguished” by the tragic accident as a train ran over migrants.
Extremely anguished by the loss of lives due to the rail accident in Aurangabad, Maharashtra. Have spoken to Railway Minister Shri Piyush Goyal and he is closely monitoring the situation. All possible assistance required is being provided.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 8, 2020
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi calls the accident “shameful’’, Priyanka claims the lockdown has destroyed India’s poors lives.
मालगाड़ी से कुचले जाने से मजदूर भाई-बहनों के मारे जाने की ख़बर से स्तब्ध हूं। हमें अपने राष्ट्र निर्माणकर्ताओं के साथ किये जा रहे व्यवहार पर शर्म आनी चाहिए। मारे गए लोगों के परिवारों के प्रति संवेदना व्यक्त करता हूं और घायलों के शीघ्र स्वस्थ होने की प्रार्थना करता हूं।
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) May 8, 2020
मजदूरों के देशव्यापी #महाप्रस्थान के दौरान औरंगाबाद में घटी घटना अत्यंत दुखभरी और विचलित करने वाली है।
लॉकडाउन ने गरीबों की जिंदगी को तहसनहस कर दिया है। उनके पास जीविका चलाने का कोई जरिया ही नहीं है।
इस घटना में पीड़ित सभी परिवारों को मुआवजा मिलना चाहिए और सम्भव मदद होनी चाहिए।
— Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (@priyankagandhi) May 8, 2020
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is grief-stricken at the “horrific’’ accident.
I am struck by grief to hear of the horrific incident involving a goods train which ran over innocent migrants in #Aurangabad, Maharashtra. My deep condolences to the families of the deceased. May their souls rest in peace. Praying for the speedy recovery of those injured.
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) May 8, 2020
Meanwhile, Congress spokesperson Sanjay Jha has some constructive suggestions for the PM.
Dear PM @narendramodi : Please send all state resources, deploy the army, trucks, buses, trains, everything so that from tomorrow no migrant walks home any more. All states to cooperate by telling migrants to halt where they are. We pick them up. Lets end this suffering, Sir
— Sanjay Jha (@JhaSanjay) May 8, 2020
Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap is much sharper in his advice for Modi.
यह क्या प्रधान मंत्री हैं भई ? assistance to who? लाशें उठाने के लिए?और क्या situation मानिटर कर रहें है कि पटरी के दाएँ कितना और बातें कितना? जो ज़िंदा बचे हैं उन्हें बचा लीजिए और जब कुछ बोलने को नहीं है तो ज़बरदस्ती मत बोलिए।पहले गलती स्वीकार करें फिर उसे ठीक करें । https://t.co/Cd33YRzNTN
— Anurag Kashyap (@anuragkashyap72) May 8, 2020
Why were migrant workers sleeping on the railway tracks in the first place? Journalist Faye D’Souza scolds those who ask this silly question.
People who are asking why did they sleep on the tracks, just stop. Put the phone down and walk away.
— Faye DSouza (@fayedsouza) May 8, 2020
Here’s CPI (M) comrade Sitaram Yechury with an important reminder.
Its simple. Workers aren’t slaves.
— Sitaram Yechury (@SitaramYechury) May 8, 2020
Onto other news, Maharashtra cabinet minister Aaditya Thackeray makes a snappy wisecrack. Guess who is at the receiving end?
World over people have united to help all in every possible way.
On the other hand there are those kept busy by some by making them troll, create stupid trends, spread hate, fear, lies, spark riots and talk politics. Something in common in all of them. Guess what— Aaditya Thackeray (@AUThackeray) May 7, 2020
A beautiful image with equally beautiful words by filmmaker Shekhar Kapur. Wonder where he’s spending his lockdown.
Sunset .. I don’t have internet so am free of TV Netflix etc. I saw the sun set the mountain on fire .. and will be up to see the two play with each other again at sunrise .. pic.twitter.com/IzbkcsXkSc
— Shekhar Kapur (@shekharkapur) May 7, 2020
Mumbai Police sets aside its sense of humour for this serious appeal.
We know there is a lot of free time. But it can definitely be utilised to do things better than spreading #rumours ! Neither do you need to hoard essentials nor is the army or paramilitary being called out. Just stay calm & stay home. That’s all we need to do to combat #corona .
— Mumbai Police (@MumbaiPolice) May 7, 2020
BJP’s Priti Gandhi derides Rahul Gandhi’s `interview’ conveniently forgetting PM Modi’s scripted interviews.
#RahulFightsForIndia is exactly like WWF wrestling – entertainment-based, scripted, & choreographed!!??
Randeep Singh Surjewala already knew what questions Rajdeep Sardesai was going to be asking Rahul Gandhi!!
पोल खुल गयी!!??
— Priti Gandhi – प्रीति गांधी (@MrsGandhi) May 8, 2020
And lastly, advocate and activist Prashant Bhushan is in singer John Lennon’s mood: Imagine…
Imagine how much better the
situation in India would be today if the Congress was in power & its manifesto promising Universal basic income (advised by many Nobel laureates) had been implemented? We would not see the distress & destitution of migrant workers that we see today
— Prashant Bhushan (@pbhushan1) May 7, 2020
It’s a shame to see leftists stooping to such level. Whatever it is, railways line is not a place to sleep.