Mumbai has been engulfed in a major controversy after Ashish Pande, a ticket collector (TC) working for Western Railway, allegedly made a discriminatory remarks against the Marathi and Muslim communities. Pande who hails from Uttar Pradesh but is currently based in Vikhroli, Mumbai reportedly said that he would neither support Marathi or Muslims business nor use auto-rickshaws driven by Marathi or Muslim drivers.
An audio clip featuring alleged statements surfaced on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) on September 22 at 5:33 PM. Posted by a user, the clip quickly gained traction, going viral within hours. By 10:33 PM, the post had amassed nearly 1,000 reposts and over 130,000 views, inciting significant public outrage.
“I don’t give business to Muslims and Maharashtrians. I don’t sit in autos of Muslims and Maharashtrians,” the audio purportedly captures Pande saying.
Western Railway Reaction
Western Railway swiftly responded to the incident, issuing a statement through its spokesperson:. The staff member who made derogatory comments about religious communities and Maharashtrians has been reportedly suspended immediately, pending an investigation. A thorough inquiry will be conducted to ensure accountability, and appropriate actions will be taken based on the findings to uphold our standards and maintain the integrity of our services.
“We take this matter very seriously. The staff commenting adversely about the religious community and Maharashtrians has been suspended immediately, pending an inquiry. A thorough investigation will be conducted to ensure accountability,” the DRM said on X while replying to clip-related comments.
“Appropriate actions will be determined based on the findings to uphold our standards and ensure the integrity of our services,” the official added
Outrage over “Divisive and Offensive” Comment
The remarks have faced intense backlash from multiple sources, with many labeling Pande’s comments as divisive and offensive. Notably, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), a political party renowned for its advocacy of local rights, responded swiftly. Reports indicate that MNS members confronted Pande, delivering a stern warning about his behavior, which has intensified discussions on the importance of respecting local communities.
The incident has brought the issue of migrant attitudes towards Maharashtra’s local population to the forefront of public discourse, with many calling for greater sensitivity and understanding. “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” , said a social activist.
