List Of Railway Ministers Who Resigned On Moral Grounds After Trains Mishaps

In a devastating train collision involving the Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express, the Shalimar-Chennai Central Coromandel Express, and a goods train, over 230 individuals lost their lives while around 900 others sustained injuries, officials reported on Saturday. This tragic incident has become the deadliest railway accident since India gained independence.

The lack of accountability following the horrific accident has sparked a wave of outrage among citizens who expected an immediate response from the authorities. Resignations in the Indian political arena are seldom witnessed, especially when it comes to matters of moral responsibility. However, given the severity of this incident, many feel that even a symbolic act of resignation would have demonstrated a genuine concern for the lives lost and the need for a thorough investigation.

Below is the list of Railway Ministers who quit after a major train accident

Lal Bahadur Shastri: In 1956, then Railway Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri took moral responsibility for the Ariyalur train accident in Tamil Nadu, which claimed the lives of approximately 142 individuals in November 1956. This act of accountability earned Shastri praise from former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, who lauded his integrity. Shastri's popularity soared as a result, leading to his subsequent appointment to other ministerial roles and eventually becoming India's Prime Minister.

Nitish Kumar: The second resignation from a Railway Minister came 43 years after Lal Bahadur Shastri's departure. In August 1999, Nitish Kumar resigned from his position, following the Gaisal train disaster in Assam, which claimed the lives of at least 290 people.

Mamata Banerjee: In 2000, Mamata Banerjee had resigned from her post taking moral responsibility after two train disasters in the same year. However, then Prime Minister Atal Bihar Vajpayee had rejected her resignation.

Suresh Prabhu: In 2016, Suresh Prabhu offered to resign as Railways Minister on August 23, 2017, taking moral responsibility for two train derailments in a span of four days - Kaifiyat Express and Puri-Utkal Express. Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked him to wait, but Prabhu stepped down next month. Around 150 people were killed when 14 coaches of Patna-Indore express got derailed near Kanpur. This was considered as one of the deadliest rail mishaps since 1999.

Following the recent train accident in Odisha, similar to previous incidents, there is an increasing call for the resignation of the Railway Minister, Ashwini Vaishnaw. Opposition leaders have joined in demanding his resignation on moral grounds.

When questioned about the resignation demand, Vaishnaw addressed reporters on Saturday morning, stating that his primary focus currently lies on the ongoing rescue and relief operations. Despite the challenges faced in implementing anti-collision devices while simultaneously modernizing trains and stations nationwide, it appears highly unlikely that Vaishnaw will assume moral responsibility and step down from his position as Railway Minister.