Indian Railways serves as one of the largest common public areas where millions of individuals from various backgrounds travel every day. Almost anything strange that occurs on a train can swiftly garner public attention due to its wide reach, particularly in the era of social media. Debates about passenger behaviour, safety, and whether or not railway regulations are being observed are sometimes sparked by videos taken during trips.
Although such videos do go viral on social media very quickly, they do not provide a full context most of the time, leading to intervention by the concerned railway officials for clarification. The recent incident in which the group was doing Rudrabhishek on a train is one such example. Now, the railways have given clarification about what had happened.
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The video of the group conducting a Rudrabhishek ceremony went viral on social media
This issue started when fact-checker Mohammed Zubair, who is commonly referred to as Zoo Bear on X, uploaded a video of about 31 seconds featuring a group conducting a Rudrabhishek ceremony in something that seemed like a train coach. The fact-checker tagged Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw in his tweet and asked,
“Was this approved by @RailMinIndia? If so, what is the procedure?”
Have a look at the original video:
Hello @AshwiniVaishnaw, was this approved by @RailMinIndia? If so, What is the procedure? pic.twitter.com/9VUJP53lJQ
— Mohammed Zubair (@zoo_bear) July 12, 2026
What does Railways have to say about the viral video?
Reacting to the viral video, Northern Railway clarified that the ceremony was not conducted in a usual coach. As per the railway zone, the ritual was performed in a saloon coach that had been booked commercially by a private party through IRCTC.
As per the railways, the party had booked the luxury saloon coach on July 8 after making an advance payment of Rs 308,580. The coach was to be attached to Train No. 12926 Paschim Express for a single trip from New Delhi (NDLS) to Mumbai (BDTS) on July 10. Northern Railway informed that it had granted permission for the commercial run of the saloon coach, depending upon operational feasibility.
In their reply, Northern Railway made it clear that ensuring punctuality, safety, security and convenience of its passengers is its foremost duty and these duties were not affected in this case. It stated that no harm had come to any individual during the course of the journey.
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Have a look at the railway’s reply:
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👉🏻 The Saloon Car was booked by IRCTC on 08.07.26.The party made an advance payment of Rs 3,08,580
as commercial booking. The Saloon Car was to be attached in Train No. 12926 Paschim Express on one way journey from New Delhi (NDLS) to Mumbai (BDTS) on 10.07.2026.👉🏻NR issued…
— Northern Railway (@RailwayNorthern) July 12, 2026
The video sparked debate among netizens about railway rules
The video, shared by Mohammad Zubair, rapidly became popular on X, garnering over a million views and hundreds of likes. Within no time, the comment section quickly filled with hundreds of comments as users raised concerns among users about the legality of holding religious gatherings inside trains.
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However, Railway’s clarification shifted the tone of the online conversation, with most users switching their anger from the Railway’s side to Zoo Bear because he had raised the issue when the whole story had not yet come out. A number of users contended that in view of the fact that the saloon coach had been properly reserved by the Railway via IRCTC and the payment was made of more than Rs 3 lakh, nothing wrong would be involved in performing a religious ceremony privately in the saloon coach.
Have a look at some of the reactions
Hello xxxxx ka fact checker 🃏🤡
The Railways has now confirmed it was a commercial IRCTC booking, made after payment and approved as per procedure.
Perhaps the next fact-check should begin after reading the official clarification. pic.twitter.com/NsnP4g5Mp5
— Dilip Jain (दिलीप जैन) 🇮🇳 (@dilipjain1979) July 12, 2026
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This is approved by 90Cr People, and procedure is to do reverse Circumcision
— MangoMan🥭🧔 (@MangoMan_DL) July 12, 2026
they are literally in their cabin and not in the “ways” as u do in them chi chi how cann u be more more illiterate day by day
— Rahul Varma (@Rahulvarma682) July 13, 2026
The Hindus performing Puja booked this private coach for upwards of Rs 3 lakh. Unlike morons who point their ass towards the sky like zombies the first chance they get, regardless of where they are and who it inconveniences. Sit the hell down. https://t.co/OiHWXSsnz9
— Nupur J Sharma (@UnSubtleDesi) July 13, 2026
Reserve the entire compartment, make sure co-passengers aren’t disturbed, and do whatever you want to do (except blast it)….
Nobody is stopping you. https://t.co/sNwiba0SQh
— Mr Sinha (@Mrsinha) July 12, 2026
They booked this saloon coach for 3 lakh plus
Bhikhariyon ki aukat nahi hai utni. https://t.co/Cd6VemLkT4 pic.twitter.com/ImfDvgxcOw
— Lala (@FabulasGuy) July 12, 2026
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What do you think about this incident? Do share your thoughts with us in the comments section of this article.
