According to the Railways, this salon coach was booked through the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC). Salon Coach is made available exclusively for senior officials, VIPs or private bookings.
A video related to railways is becoming increasingly viral on social media. In this, a priest is seen sitting on the floor inside a moving train and performing puja and anointment. Many devotees wearing white clothes are also seen participating in religious rituals around him. After this scene came to light, people raised questions on social media whether such religious events are allowed inside train coaches. Many people also sought answers from the Railways regarding this. After the video went viral, the matter gained momentum and various reactions started emerging regarding it.
Railways has given clarification regarding the viral video. Answering these questions, Northern Railway said that this puja did not take place in a normal passenger coach, but in a privately booked special salon coach. According to the Railways, this salon coach was booked through the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC). Salon Coach is made available exclusively for senior officials, VIPs or for private bookings. It has facilities like AC bogie, seating area, dinner table, kitchen and bathroom. Therefore, the program organized in this coach was of a different category from the normal passenger compartment.
Under which rule was the permission granted?
Railways said that this salon coach was booked on 8 July 2026. The party making the booking had deposited Rs 3,08,580 for this. As per the plan, this saloon coach was attached with Train No. 12926 Paschim Express from New Delhi to Mumbai Bandra Terminus for one-way journey on 10 July 2026. The Railways said the puja was performed inside the same private salon coach which was hired by the concerned party as per the rules. Therefore it should not be seen as a religious event in the general passenger compartment.
Northern Railway said that the incident did not have any impact on train operations, safety or passenger convenience. Railways said that timely train operation, safety and facilities of passengers are its top priorities. There is no compromise of any kind in these. Officials said no one was injured and the priest seen in the video was carrying out the anointment as part of a private religious ritual. Recently, a case of the first AC coach of Nandigram Express being decorated with flowers like a wedding night came to light. After the controversy escalated, Railways took action in this matter and suspended the concerned ticket checker (TTE).