The Congress on Sunday called for the immediate resignation of Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, holding him morally responsible for the stampede at New Delhi Railway Station that claimed 18 lives.

Addressing a press conference, Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate accused Vaishnaw of gross mismanagement and demanded his removal if he failed to step down voluntarily.

Shrinate highlighted the lack of proper crowd management at the railway station, stating that officials were fully aware of the large influx of passengers, with approximately 1,500 tickets being sold every hour. Despite this, no adequate arrangements were made to handle the crowd, leading to chaos and tragedy.

“There were no security forces present to manage the situation. The crowd was left to fend for itself, which resulted in this devastating incident,” she said.

The Congress leader also criticized the stark contrast between the treatment of the elite and the common people, pointing to the VIP culture at the ongoing Kumbh Mela. “In this country, there are two Hindustans. On one side, the king helps his friends take a holy bath at the Kumbh, while on the other, common people are dying on railway platforms,” she alleged.

Shrinate emphasized that the stampede was not merely an accident but a “massacre” resulting from systemic failures. “What happened at New Delhi Railway Station last night is not an accident but a massacre. Seeing the scene there, my heart was shaken. Devotees full of faith and belief came to visit the Kumbh, but no arrangements were made for their safety,” she said.

She further accused Vaishnaw of neglecting his duties and focusing on building his public image instead of addressing critical issues. “Ashwini Vaishnaw has completely failed in his responsibility. He is busy making reels and trying to hide the deaths instead of offering condolences to the victims’ families. He has no moral right to remain in his position even for a minute,” Shrinate asserted.

The Congress leader also recounted harrowing eyewitness accounts of the incident, describing how porters had to carry the bodies of stampede victims. “Hearing these accounts sent a chill down my spine. This is a grave failure of the government and the railway administration,” she said.

Shrinate reiterated the party’s demand for Vaishnaw’s resignation, stating, “We have only one demand: the Railway Minister must resign immediately, taking moral responsibility for this tragedy. If he does not step down, he should be sacked. The Indian Railways and its passengers cannot be left in the hands of such an irresponsible minister.”

The Congress’s strong condemnation of the incident has intensified pressure on the government, with calls for accountability and better management of public infrastructure to prevent such tragedies in the future. As investigations into the stampede continue, the families of the victims await justice and assurances that such negligence will not be repeated.

Renowned Telugu actor and producer C. Krishnaveni, a trailblazer in the Indian film industry, breathed her last on Sunday at the age of 102. The news of her demise was confirmed by Madala Ravi, Vice-President of the Movie Artistes Association (MAA). She is survived by her daughter.

Krishnaveni, who had been battling age-related health issues, leaves behind a legacy that has profoundly shaped Telugu cinema. Born in West Godavari, Andhra Pradesh, she made her acting debut in the 1938 film Kacha Devayani and went on to star in over 40 movies.

A pioneer in many ways, Krishnaveni is credited with introducing legendary actor and former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N.T. Rama Rao (NTR) to the film industry through her 1949 film Mana Desam, in which she also acted. Her contributions extended beyond acting, as she produced around a dozen films, including Bhisma and Daksha Yagnam, under her family-owned studio. In recognition of her immense contributions to cinema, she was honoured with the prestigious Raghupathi Venkaiah Award in 2004.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu expressed his grief over her passing in a post on X (formerly Twitter). He wrote in Telugu, “The death of actor and film producer Krishnaveni saddens me. I pray to God to grant peace to her soul. Her service to the art world, particularly by introducing NTR to the film industry through Mana Desam, is unforgettable. I extend my deepest condolences to her family.”

Deputy Chief Minister and actor Pawan Kalyan also paid tribute to Krishnaveni, describing her as a multifaceted talent. In a press note, he said, “I am deeply saddened by the passing of Mrs. Krishnaveni, who was recognized as the first woman producer in the Telugu film industry. She was not only an actor but also a singer, producer, and studio head. Her introduction of NTR and Ghantasala Venkateswara Rao to the industry remains a significant contribution. My heartfelt condolences to her family. May her soul rest in peace.”

MAA President Vishnu Manchu took to X to honour Krishnaveni’s legacy, writing in Telugu, “The legendary Krishnaveni garu, who brought light to Telugu cinema, is no more. Through her hard work, she introduced Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao to the big screen, gifting our industry a priceless treasure. Her memories will forever remain in our hearts. My deepest condolences to her family. Om Shanti.”

Krishnaveni’s passing marks the end of an era in Telugu cinema. Her pioneering work as an actor, producer, and mentor to iconic figures like NTR has left an indelible mark on the industry. As the film fraternity and fans mourn her loss, her contributions will continue to inspire generations to come.

A devastating stampede at the New Delhi Railway Station late Saturday night left 18 people dead and several others injured, sparking outrage and condemnation from Opposition parties who accused the Narendra Modi-led central government of negligence and mismanagement.

The incident occurred as a large crowd, primarily comprising women and children, gathered to board special trains headed to the Maha Kumbh Mela in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj.

Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos and panic at the station, blaming poor crowd management and last-minute changes to train schedules and platforms for the tragedy. The stampede is the second major incident linked to the Maha Kumbh Mela in recent weeks, following a similar tragedy at the event itself that claimed over 30 lives.

Political leaders across party lines expressed grief over the loss of lives but were quick to point fingers at the BJP-led government and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw for failing to prevent the disaster.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi took to social media to express his condolences, calling the incident “extremely sad” and “distressing.” He criticized the government for its “failure” to manage the Indian Railways and its “insensitivity” toward the safety of citizens.

“Given the large number of devotees heading to Prayagraj, better arrangements should have been made at the station. The government and administration must ensure that no one loses their life due to mismanagement and negligence,” Gandhi said in a post on X.

Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief and former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati also condemned the incident, holding the railways responsible for “grave negligence.” She called for strict action against those accountable and urged the government to provide full assistance to the victims and their families.

“The stampede at New Delhi Railway Station, caused by the railway’s negligence, is an extremely tragic event. My deepest condolences to the victims. The government must take action against those responsible and ensure such incidents are not repeated,” Mayawati said in a statement.

AIMIM President and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi accused the BJP government of attempting to cover up the incident, calling it “avoidable.” He demanded an independent, judicially-monitored Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the tragedy and a separate inquiry into the systemic failures of the Indian Railways.

“Indian Railways is a lifeline for millions of Indians; it does not deserve the Modi government’s mismanagement,” Owaisi said.

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi took a direct jab at Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, stating that his “train of conscience left the station long ago.” In a scathing post on X, she questioned how many more tragedies would occur before the government is held accountable.

“How many derailments, accidents, stampedes, lives lost, passenger fare hikes, and instances of inhumane travel conditions will it take for the right time to seek accountability?” Chaturvedi asked.

The tragic incident has reignited debates over the state of India’s railway infrastructure and the government’s ability to manage large-scale events. As investigations into the stampede continue, questions remain over whether adequate measures were in place to handle the massive influx of passengers heading to the Maha Kumbh Mela.

The families of the victims and the injured await answers and action, while the nation mourns yet another preventable tragedy.