India's national record holder in men's pole vault, Dev Meena, along with fellow athlete Kuldeep Yadav, was reportedly forced to deboard a train at Panvel station by a Travelling Ticket Examiner (TTE). The incident, which occurred on January 19, 2026, quickly gained traction after a video featuring Meena describing the harassment went viral on social media. The athletes were returning from the All India Inter-University Championships when the TTE objected to them carrying their essential pole vaulting equipment, claiming it was not permitted on the train. Meena and Yadav detailed their ordeal, stating they were stranded at Panvel for nearly five hours while attempting to explain the necessity of their equipment to railway authorities. Meena questioned the treatment meted out to national-level athletes, expressing concern about how junior athletes might be treated if international competitors faced such issues. This incident has ignited a controversy, drawing attention to the challenges athletes face while travelling with their sports gear in India. This is not an isolated event, as similar situations have been reported in the past, including an incident in 2022 where pole vaulter Pavithra Venkatesh and other athletes were similarly forced to deboard a train due to their equipment. The ongoing debate highlights the need for clearer guidelines and more athlete-friendly policies within Indian Railways.