Vande Bharat Stone Pelting in Hardoi with RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat Aboard

A Vande Bharat Express train, with Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on board, was subjected to stone-pelting near Kaudha village in Uttar Pradesh's Hardoi district on Thursday, February 19, 2026. The incident occurred around 3:20 PM as the Varanasi-Meerut Vande Bharat Express was en route from Lucknow to Meerut/Delhi. The impact of the stones led to a windowpane of coach C4 cracking or shattering, which was one coach ahead of Bhagwat's compartment (E1). Despite the alarming incident, officials confirmed that RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat and all other passengers aboard the train were reported to be safe and unharmed. As a precautionary measure following the incident, security personnel reportedly shifted Bhagwat to another coach. The stone-pelting caused momentary panic among the passengers. Immediately after the incident, the train staff informed the control room, prompting a swift response from railway authorities. Teams from the Government Railway Police (GRP) and the Railway Protection Force (RPF) were dispatched to inspect the site and initiate an investigation. A case has been registered against unidentified persons, and authorities are examining CCTV footage to identify those responsible. Preliminary information gathered by the Circle Officer (City) Ankit Mishra indicated that children, aged between 8 and 13, playing cricket near the railway track, might have either accidentally or deliberately hurled stones at the passing train. GRP officials are currently probing both possibilities. Mohan Bhagwat was on a two-day visit to Meerut, scheduled for February 20 and 21, to participate in a dialogue program and interact with intellectuals and sportspersons from 28 districts. He arrived at Meerut railway station around 9 PM on Thursday amidst tight security arrangements and proceeded to Madhav Kunj in Shatabdi Nagar for his stay. This incident adds to a series of stone-pelting events targeting Vande Bharat Express trains across various parts of India, a recurring issue that has raised concerns about public safety and the security of railway infrastructure. Previous incidents have been reported in places like Rae Bareli, Prayagraj, and Kanpur. The Vande Bharat Express, India's semi-high-speed train, is a flagship project aimed at modernizing the country's railway network. Such acts of vandalism pose a significant challenge to the smooth operation and safety of these advanced trains. The ongoing investigation will aim to ascertain the exact nature of the incident and take appropriate legal action against the culprits to deter similar occurrences in the future. The broader context of this incident also involves recent political engagements. A day before the stone-pelting, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had met Mohan Bhagwat. On the day of the incident, both Deputy Chief Ministers, Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brajesh Pathak, also called on the RSS chief. These meetings, occurring ahead of assembly elections, stirred political discussions and speculation regarding governance feedback and political strategies within the state. However, there is no direct link suggested between these political meetings and the stone-pelting incident itself; the investigation primarily focuses on the act of vandalism by unidentified persons near the tracks. The incident underscores the continuous efforts required to ensure the safety and security of railway passengers and national assets.

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