Indian railways responds to Puja inside moving train video

IBNS-CMEDIA: A video showing a priest performing a religious ritual inside a railway coach recently went viral on X, sparking an online debate over whether such activities should be allowed on trains and prompting a clarification from the Railways.

The clip surfaced just days after another video showing a so-called “honeymoon coach” arranged for a couple left internet users surprised.

In the latest viral video, a priest can be seen performing a Hindu religious ritual inside a moving train as several people participate in the ceremony.

After the video went viral, internet users expressed mixed reactions.

Some pointed out that passengers who commercially book a saloon coach can organise private activities, provided they do not disturb others or damage railway property.

“In a reserved saloon coach you can do anything as you want, either a wedding, puja, a drink party, anything. Only boundary is it shouldn’t disturb others and not damaging any property of the railway. This is pure freedom,” one user wrote.

Others, however, questioned whether lighting a fire to perform a ritual inside a train should be permitted.

“If you offer prayers from the roadside it’s an offence… but doing it inside the train is allowed for a certain community?! What nonsense???” one internet user wrote.

“So lighting fire inside the train is allowed? What is this clarification from Railways????” another asked.

Amid the debate, Northern Railway issued a clarification, saying: “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 notification of commercial run of the Saloon on 10.07.2026 subject to operational feasibility,” the post on X said.

The Railways also said that no one was injured during the ritual performed inside the coach.

“The primary roles and responsibilities of ensuring punctuality, safety, security, convenience of the passengers lies with Railways without any compromise. In this incident, none got injured. Priest seen performing abhishek is being performed in saloon car booked by party,” the Railways said.