Western Railway TC From UP Stirs Row With Anti-Muslim, Maharashtrian Remark; Suspended

A major controversy has erupted in Mumbai after Ashish Pande, a ticket collector (TC) with Western Railway, allegedly made inflammatory and discriminatory remarks against the Marathi and Muslim communities.

Pande, originally from Uttar Pradesh and residing in Vikhroli, Mumbai, reportedly claimed that he would not support Marathi or Muslim businesses and refused to use auto-rickshaws driven by Marathi or Muslim drivers.

An audio clip of these remarks was posted on the social media platform X on September 22 at 5:33 PM by a user. The clip quickly went viral, amassing nearly 1,000 reposts and over 130,000 views within five hours, sparking widespread outrage.

The audio purportedly captured Pande saying, "I don't give business to Muslims and Maharashtrians. I don't sit in autos of Muslims and Maharashtrians."

Western Railway responded swiftly to the controversy.

"We take this matter very seriously. The staff member making such adverse comments about religious communities and Maharashtrians has been suspended immediately, pending an inquiry. A detailed investigation will be conducted to ensure accountability, and appropriate actions will be determined based on the findings to uphold our standards and ensure the integrity of our services," read the statement issued by the Western Railway on X.

Pande's remarks were met with sharp criticism from various groups. The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), a political party known for its strong stance on local rights, took immediate action.

Reports indicate that MNS members confronted Pande and issued a stern warning regarding his behavior, further fueling the debate on the need to respect local communities.

The incident has brought the issue of migrant attitudes toward Maharashtra's local population into the spotlight. Many have called for greater sensitivity and understanding in such interactions.

As one social activist put it, "At a time when regional identity and social harmony are becoming increasingly crucial in Maharashtra, Pande's remarks have added fuel to the ongoing debate about the relationship between migrants and locals in the state."