A high-profile security scare occurred in Uttar Pradesh’s Hardoi district on Thursday afternoon when stones were hurled at a Delhi-bound Vande Bharat Express carrying Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat. The incident took place around 3:20 PM near Kauda village as the premium train was traveling from Lucknow to Meerut. According to railway officials, the impact cracked a windowpane in coach C4, just one compartment away from where the RSS chief was seated in coach E1. While the sudden sound of shattering glass sparked brief panic among the passengers, authorities confirmed that Mohan Bhagwat remained completely unharmed and was later shifted to another coach as a precautionary measure.
Local police and railway security agencies, including the RPF and GRP, launched an immediate investigation into the matter. Preliminary findings from the scene suggest that the incident may not have been a coordinated attack but rather a reckless act by local youths. Circle Officer Ankit Mishra stated that a group of children, aged between 8 and 13, were reportedly playing cricket near the railway tracks at the time and may have pelted stones at the passing high-speed train as a prank. Despite the likely accidental nature of the event, the Railway Protection Force has registered a case against unidentified persons under Section 153 of the Railway Act, which pertains to endangering the safety of persons traveling by rail.
The timing of the incident added to the gravity of the situation, as it occurred shortly after Mohan Bhagwat held significant meetings with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and other top state leaders to discuss governance and upcoming political strategies. Following the stone-pelting, the train continued its journey without further disruption, and the RSS chief arrived at Meerut station around 9:00 PM under heavy security. He is scheduled to participate in a two-day dialogue program in the city, interacting with sportspersons and intellectuals. While Vande Bharat trains have frequently been targets of stone-pelting in various states, this latest occurrence has prompted a review of track-side security protocols, especially when VVIPs are on board.