A heated incident unfolded on a recent Vande Bharat Express journey from Howrah to Ranchi, leaving fellow passengers divided. An elderly passenger, who had ordered a vegetarian meal, was mistakenly served non-vegetarian food. After consuming a portion of the meal, the passenger realized the mistake and reacted angrily, slapping the waiter twice.
The altercation was captured on video by a co-passenger, Kunal Verma, who shared it on social media. Verma’s video depicted the furious passenger confronting the waiter, who was visibly shaken and apologetic.
The incident sparked a heated debate among passengers, with some condemning the elderly man’s actions. They argued that physical violence was never justified, regardless of the circumstances. In the video, passengers are seen demanding an apology from the elderly man while others criticize him for his actions.
However, others expressed empathy for the passenger, understanding his frustration after being served food that went against his dietary preferences for a lifetime. They highlighted the potential for such errors to occur, especially on crowded trains, and the importance of clear food labeling to prevent such incidents.
The incident has sparked a broader discussion on social media, with several users condemning the passenger’s assault on the waiter while others expressed understanding for his anger. Some pointed out the increasing occurrence of such incidents on various platforms, such as airlines, food delivery apps, and even trains, highlighting the need for stricter measures to ensure food labeling accuracy and prevent similar incidents in the future.
The Eastern Railway’s Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO), Prakash Charan, confirmed that the non-vegetarian food was served by mistake but stated that the passenger did not consume a significant portion of the meal. He also emphasized that the matter was resolved between the parties involved.
