Explorer

Indian Railways Withdraw 'Saffron Attire' For Ramayan Express Waiters After Ujjain Seers' Objection

The seers had taken strong objection to the saffron attire of waiters on board the IRCTC-operated Ramayan Express and dubbed it as an "insult" to the Hindu religion.

New Delhi: The Indian Railways has withdrawn its order to change the attire of the waiters serving in the Ramayan Express train to saffron colour after a protest by seers in Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh.

The seers had taken strong objection to the saffron attire of waiters on board the IRCTC-operated Ramayan Express and dubbed it as an "insult" to the Hindu religion. They had threatened to stop the train in Delhi on December 12 if the dress code was not withdrawn.

“It is to inform that the dress of service staff is completely changed in the look of professional attire of service staff. Inconvenience caused is regretted," the Indian Railways said in a statement. The uniforms have been changed to normal shirts and trousers and traditional headgear. The waiters will, however, wear saffron masks and gloves, reported PTI.

We have written a letter two days back to the Union Railway Minister lodging our protest against waiters in saffron serving refreshments and food in the Ramayan Express.

"Donning saffron attire with sadhu-like headgear and wearing 'malas' (necklaces) of 'rudraksha' (sacred seeds) is an insult to Hindu religion and its seers, Ujjain Akhada Parishad's former general secretary Avdeshpuri told PTI.

He said seers will stop the train at Delhi's Safdarjung railway station if the saffron dress code of the waiters was not changed, adding it was necessary for protecting the Hindu religion.

The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), in a retweet to a media outlet that ran this agency report, said It is to inform that the dress of service staff is completely changed in the look of professional attire of service staff.

In response to the IRCTC announcement about the change in attire, a delighted Avdeshpuri said, "It is a victory of (Hindu) religion and 'Sanskriti (culture)" and that it was his duty to raise the issue.

Ujjain city, where the famous Shree Mahakaleshwar temple of Lord Shiva is located, hosts Simhastha Kumbh Mela every 12 years.

The country's first Ramayan circuit train chugged off on a 17-day journey from the Safdarjung railway station on November 7, and will visit 15 places associated with the life of Lord Ram.

Covering a distance of more than 7,500 km, the train will take the pilgrims to places such as Ayodhya, Prayagraj, Nandigram, Janakpur, Chitrakoot, Sitamarhi, Nashik, Hampi and Rameshwaram.

The Ramayan Express is equipped with first-class restaurants, a library and shower cubicles.

View More
Advertisement
Advertisement
25°C
New Delhi
Rain: 100mm
Humidity: 97%
Wind: WNW 47km/h
See Today's Weather
powered by
Accu Weather
Advertisement

Top Headline

Mukhtar Ansari Death: UP Court Orders Probe After Son Claims Father 'Poisoned' In Jail — Top Points
Mukhtar Ansari Death: UP Court Orders Probe After Son Claims Father 'Poisoned' In Jail — Top Points
I.N.D.I.A Bloc In Bihar: Here's How Congress, RJD Have Decided To Share Seats After JD-U's Exit
I.N.D.I.A Bloc In Bihar: Here's How Congress, RJD Have Decided To Share Seats After JD-U's Exit
'System Ki Dhajjiyan Uda Rahen Hain': Hardeep Puri Jabs Kejriwal At ABP Shikhar Sammelan 2024
'System Ki Dhajjiyan Uda Rahen Hain': Hardeep Puri Jabs Kejriwal At ABP Shikhar Sammelan 2024
'BJP Should Pay Rs 4,600 Crore': Congress Slams Income Tax Dept, ECI After Getting Rs 1,700-Crore Notice
'BJP Should Pay Rs 4,600 Crore': Congress Slams Income Tax Dept, ECI After Getting Rs 1,700-Crore Notice
Advertisement
for smartphones
and tablets

Videos

Isha Malviya's Collaboration With Parth Samthaan Ignites Anticipation: What Surprises Await Their Fans?ABP Shikhar Sammelan 2024: Will Congress leader Sachin Pilot ever join BJP? Know his answerABP Shikhar Sammelan 2024: 'Strong opposition is very important for democracy'- Sachin PilotKundali Bhagya's PalVeer (Paras Kalnawat & Sana Sayyad) Celebrate One Year Journey Together

Photogallery

Embed widget