Rahul Gandhi slams Centre over Loco Pilots' plight, calls working conditions "inhumane"

New Delhi [India], April 17 (ANI): Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Thursday slammed the government over the working conditions of railway loco pilots, calling it a "grave injustice" and a "threat to passenger safety."
In a post on X, Rahul recalled his interaction with loco pilots last year and said he was alarmed by reports of 14-hour shifts, lack of rest, no meal or toilet breaks, and continuous night duties.
"When I met railway loco pilots last year, I was deeply concerned to learn about their conditions -- 14-hour shifts, continuous night duty, no adequate rest, no meal breaks and no toilet facilities. After accidents, the railway shrugs it off by saying it is a 'human error' but does not explain how the employees are made to work in an inhumane manner," he said.
Accusing the government of ignoring their basic demands and forming a committee "only for show," the Congress MP said the refusal to grant even essential breaks was inhumane and unacceptable.
"Their basic demands were fixed working hours and a better working environment. But the government formed a committee only for show, there was no intention of finding a solution. Now, even demands like food and toilet breaks have been rejected, saying "it is not practical," Rahul Gandhi said.
Further, Gandhi vowed to continue supporting the loco pilots and raising the issue until the government takes meaningful action.
"This is not just injustice to the loco pilots but also a gamble with the safety of millions of passengers who travel by trains. This is a fight for justice, and we are with the loco pilots in this - we will keep raising our voice as long as the government remains deaf," the Lok Sabha Lop said.
Earlier on Wednesday, Rahul Gandhi asserted that Gujarat is the path to defeating the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).
While addressing the gathering at Modasa, Gandhi said that the ongoing tussle was not merely political but also "ideological". The entire country, he added, knows that only Congress can defeat the BJP. (ANI)