Railways Responds After Cleaning Staff Throws Cold Water On Passengers Sleeping On Lucknow Platform

A viral video captured at Lucknow’s Charbagh railway station caught the attention of netizens and created widespread outrage on social media. The incident took place on December 25 amid prevailing cold-wave conditions. On platforms 8 and 9, sanitation workers doused sleeping passengers with cold water which social media users termed as “inhuman” and “highly condemnable.”

The viral clip shows sanitation staff using mugs to splash water on passengers who were resting on the platform

In the video shared by an X user, Hate Detector, the cleaning staff are seen splashing water on sleeping passengers, including children. The passengers can be seen quickly gathering their belongings, including blankets. They were forced to vacate the area while the railway staff cleaned the platform.

The viral footage has sparked a barrage of criticism towards Indian Railways. Spraying cold water at the passengers, and waiting on the platforms for the trains was not an acceptable incident.

In their defense, the cleaning stated that the passengers could return after cleaning

At #Lucknow’s #Charbagh railway station, passengers, some sleeping while others waiting for their trains on platforms 8 and 9 faced the insensitivity of the cleaning staff who poured water on them and that too during the cold night to wake them up.

A video of the incident went… pic.twitter.com/7A6zRii9Xw

— Hate Detector 🔍 (@HateDetectors) December 29, 2024

Responding to the controversy, the Divisional Railway Manager (DRM), Lucknow office issued a statement

DRM of Lucknow, SM Sharma, claimed that the cleaning staff had been informed and counseled properly to prevent such incidents. The DRM statement read,

“Necessary instructions have been issued to the cleaning staff and CHI [Chief Health Inspector]”

He further advised that passengers can utilize facilities such as waiting halls, dormitories, and retiring rooms to sleep rather than on the platforms.

“Passengers are also advised to avoid sleeping on the platforms. The station provides adequate facilities, including waiting halls, dormitories and retiring rooms, which passengers are encouraged to utilise”

This is the shamelessness of DRM Lucknow. After paying for ticket, you are expected to pay for waiting areas, dormitories and retiring rooms because the trains are always delayed. If you rest at the platform, Railways will throw cold water to teach you a lesson for being poor. pic.twitter.com/NaFpkRBFaG

— Piyush Rai (@Benarasiyaa) December 29, 2024

The DRM emphasized the importance of maintaining cleanliness and also ensuring the humane treatment of passengers. The incident led to discussions about poverty, infrastructure inadequacies, and the treatment of helpless individuals at public spaces like railway stations.

Some social media users were angry by the incident and slammed the railways staff for being insensitive towards the passengers

Unfortunately, though not the right solution, but in country like India with such vast population, that is only solution. If U tell anything politely, majority won’t listen.

— Sanjay (@Sanjay01886089) December 31, 2024

Not the right way…. Railway must arrange something to these late night passengers, they have booked tickets so railway is liable.

— Nitin kumar sharma (@Nitinkumar91869) December 31, 2024

Inhumane things are more often in UP.

— Akbar 🇮🇳 🇦🇺 🍉 🇵🇸 (@akbarcbe001) December 29, 2024

Chided ! Wow what a severe punishment for illtreating the most ordinary ones of India; children and mothers included !! This truly sets an example !!!

— mdas (@mullurkara) December 31, 2024

What are your thoughts about the same? Let us know in the comments.