Odisha Train Accident: Should the Railway Minister Resign?

What happened?

On 2 June 2023, three trains collided near Balasore, Odisha. Two passenger trains, the Coromandel Express and the SMVT Bengaluru–Howrah SF Express, collided after an initial collision involving goods train near Bahanaga Bazar station. At least 275 people were killed and injured more than a thousand. It was India’s worst train accident since the 1995 Firozabad train disaster.

Why it matters?

The accident has raised questions about the safety and efficiency of the Indian Railways, one of the world's largest and busiest rail networks. It has also triggered a political blame game, with opposition parties demanding the resignation of Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, overseeing relief and rescue operations at the site since Saturday. The opposition has accused the Modi government of neglecting the critical infrastructure of the railways and creating an “all is well” facade. The government has defended the railway minister and ruled out his resignation, saying he is the most qualified person for the job and should not be politicized.

What are the arguments from both sides?

Side 1: He should resign:

• Responsibility for safety: The railway minister is responsible for ensuring railway safety and security, which he has failed to fulfil. The accident resulted from human error, system failure, and negligence, which could have been prevented with proper supervision and maintenance. He should follow the example of previous railway ministers like Lal Bahadur Shastri and Nitish Kumar, who resigned after major train accidents in 1956 and 1999, respectively.

• Ignoring safety: He has ignored a warning from a top railway official who flagged “serious flaws in the signalling system” three months before the accident. The official also warned that if the signal maintenance system was not monitored, it could lead to “serious accidents”. The railway minister took no corrective steps to rectify the flaws or initiate action against the culprits.

• Loss of moral authority and public trust: Ashwini Vaishnaw has lost the moral authority and public trust required to continue serving as the railway minister. His resignation would demonstrate respect for the deceased and sensitivity toward public sentiment. It would also facilitate an independent and impartial inquiry into the accident's causes. Moreover, it would send a powerful message that the government is committed to enhancing railway safety and accountability.

Side 2: He should not resign:

• Indirect responsibility: The railway minister should not bear direct or personal responsibility for the accident resulting from a signalling error beyond his control. He has been actively managing the situation, visiting the site, coordinating with local authorities, and ensuring medical assistance for the injured. He has also pledged that the culprits will face punishment, and a high-level investigation is underway.

• Qualifications and reforms: He is one of the most qualified and competent railway ministers India has ever had, with a background in engineering and management. He has been working hard to improve the performance and modernisation of the railways, having launched projects like Vande Bharat Express, bullet trains, etc., aimed at making Indian railways world-class. He has also developed Kavach (train protection system), an indigenous anti-collision technology.

  Resisting political pressure: The railway minister should not succumb to political pressure or opportunism from opposition parties seeking to exploit the tragedy for their gain. His resignation would not resolve any problems or prevent future accidents. On the contrary, it would only introduce instability and uncertainty to the railway ministry, which already faces numerous challenges. Comparisons to previous railway ministers who resigned after train accidents are also unnecessary, as each case had unique circumstances.

What Next?

The Central Government has granted compensation to the victims; ₹10L in case of death and ₹2L towards grievous injuries. The Odisha Government has also granted compensation of ₹5L in case of death and ₹1L towards injuries.

The Railway Ministry has recommended a CBI inquiry into the matter.

The Balasore train accident has exposed the vulnerabilities and shortcomings of the Indian Railways, which need urgent attention and action from the government. The government must ensure adequate funds, resources, and technology are allocated to improve railway infrastructure, safety systems, and maintenance standards.

Watch the video on YouTube, where I explain the incident in detail

India's Growth Story: Great News?

What happened?

India experienced significant economic growth in the fourth quarter of the fiscal year 2022-23, with a GDP growth rate of 6.1 per cent, as officially announced by the National Statistical Office (NSO) on May 31. For FY23, India's growth rate reached 7.2 per cent, surpassing the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) estimated 7 per cent. This means that, at the moment, India ranks among the world's fastest-growing major economies.

Why it matters?

India's GDP growth demonstrates the economy's strength and recovery from the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns in 2020 and 2021. It also signifies a solid performance in the final quarter of FY23, despite a global economic slowdown caused by prolonged geopolitical tensions and disruptions in supply chains. It influences the government's fiscal capacity to provide public goods and services like infrastructure, health care, education and social security.

What are the arguments from both sides?

Side 1: It's Great!

• India has recovered: It shows that India has overcome the pandemic-induced shock and is on a path of sustained growth in the medium term. According to RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das, India's growth prospects have improved significantly with the resumption of economic activities.

• Growth is across sectors: The growth is driven by a widespread recovery across sectors, particularly agriculture, mining, and construction. These sectors have a solid ability to create jobs and generate income for millions.

• More growth, more taxes, more spending: The growth is supported by higher tax revenue, increased government spending, improved consumer confidence, and the demand associated with festival seasons. The government has also achieved its fiscal deficit target of 6.4 per cent of GDP for FY23. It has allocated a substantial capital expenditure of 10 lakh crore rupees for FY24 to enhance infrastructure and stimulate growth.

Side 2: It's Not So Rosy!

• Growth still not enough: The current GDP growth, although positive, remains below the pre-pandemic level of 8.3 per cent recorded in FY19. Unless India achieves an annual growth rate of at least 8 per cent, India wouldn't fully realise its potential and provide ample opportunities for its young population.

• Unequal growth: The growth rate presents a distorted picture because it's uneven and unequal. Only the top 20 per cent of households have been driving the growth, while most of the population struggles with low income and high inflation. A study conducted by Azim Premji University revealed that around 23 crore people have fallen below the national minimum wage poverty line due to income shocks caused by the pandemic.

• Downside Risks: Furthermore, India's growth trajectory is susceptible to downside risks. One is high crude oil prices, which make things more expensive and can hurt India's trade, inflation, and growth. Another is global financial troubles, which can reduce money coming into India and affect business and consumer spending. A third is possible bad monsoon, which affects farm output, food prices, and rural demand.

What next?

The outlook for India's GDP growth in FY24 depends on various factors. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has estimated a growth rate of nearly 7 per cent for FY24 in its annual report, but experts don't necessarily see that happening. According to Nomura, a leading global financial services group, the RBI will lower the interest rate by a lot in the second half of 2023 because growth will slow down, and prices will not rise too much. It thinks India's growth will be only 4.5% in 2023, significantly lower than RBI's projection.

But another group of experts thinks the RBI will not lower the interest rate, or may even raise it, because of other problems like high oil prices, more government spending and risks from outside India. So, it is important for RBI to explain its plans clearly and carefully and to balance the needs for growth and stability.

Delhi Murder: Did Religion Play a Role?

What happened?

In a horrifying incident on May 29, 2023, Delhi witnessed the brutal murder of 16-year-old Sakshi at the hands of a 20-year-old man named Sahil Khan in Delhi's Shahbad area. The incident was captured on CCTV, revealing the gruesome details of Sakshi being stabbed 20 times and her head smashed with a concrete block. Enraged by Sakshi's decision to end their relationship and her tattoo of another boy, Khan fled to his hometown of Bulandshahr. The police arrested him on the following day.

Why it matters?

Sakshi's murder shocked the nation and opened a can of worms again. There are allegations from Hindu groups that Sahil Khan, a Muslim boy, deliberately wooed Sakshi to convert. Along with Sakshi's murder, they cite the murder of another young woman named Shraddha Walkar by Aaftab Amin Poonawala, a Muslim, as emblematic of a pattern of violence against Hindu men by Muslim men.

What are the arguments from both sides?

Side 1: Religion played a role

• Deception: Sahil Khan's deception about his religious identity shows that he had planned to manipulate and eventually convert Sakshi.

• Shows religious hatred: Khan's brutal attack on Sakshi was not just a crime of passion but also an act of religious hatred and intolerance. He wanted to punish her for rejecting him and choosing someone from her faith.

• Other cases: This is not the first such instance. Other cases prove a sinister plan aims to convert Hindu women to Islam.

Side 2: Religion did not play a role:

• Jealousy: Sahil Khan's motive for killing Sakshi was not related to religion but to his inability to cope with rejection and his possessiveness over her. He was jealous of her friendship with another boy and felt betrayed by her decision to end their relationship.

• Plan to impress: Khan's use of fake identity and a sacred thread was not driven by religious malice but by his desire to impress Sakshi and win her. He did not intend to harm her or convert her to his faith.

• Tool for distraction: The murder of Sakshi was an isolated incident of personal vendetta and not a reflection of the religious situation in India. Any such citations of similar crimes are pure cherry-picking and an attempt to distract from larger problems for women.

What next?

Sakshi's murder has sparked outrage and protests among the public and civil society groups, demanding justice for her and stricter action against the perpetrators. The police have assured that they will conduct a professional investigation and seek the death penalty for Khan. The government has also announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakh for Sakshi's family. Even as there is no real evidence of a communal angle to the crime, it won't be put to rest.

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