New Delhi, Nov 4 (NationPress) Congress MP K.C. Venugopal has reached out to Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, calling for urgent measures to bolster safety protocols for women passengers on trains after a distressing incident in Kerala where a 19-year-old woman was reportedly pushed from a moving train.

On Monday, he expressed via X, "The increase in crimes against women on trains is extremely troubling. The recent case of a woman being pushed out of a train near Varkala by an intoxicated person is merely one among numerous such violent incidents. I have contacted the Kerala Chief Minister and the Railway Minister to address safety along train routes in the state and combat this growing trend."

In his letter dated November 2, Venugopal underscored what he referred to as the "growing threats to women's safety" in the railways, which he noted is the "lifeline for millions."

Referencing the assault, he pointed out that the incident on the Kerala Express (Train No. 12626) has once again "revealed the serious vulnerabilities faced by women passengers," demanding swift action from the government.

As reported, the incident occurred near Varkala railway station on November 2, when the young woman hailing from Thiruvananthapuram was allegedly pushed out of a moving train by an individual reportedly under the influence of alcohol. The accused also tried to shove the victim’s friend, who narrowly avoided grave injury by falling back into the coach.

"The victim, unconscious with severe internal injuries and substantial bleeding, was rushed to Sree Narayana Mission Hospital and subsequently transferred to Thiruvananthapuram Medical College Hospital in critical condition," the letter stated.

Venugopal emphasized that the "unprovoked act of violence" highlights a "disturbing trend of impunity that continues to jeopardize women."

The senior Congress figure pointed out that this was not an isolated incident.

Quoting a similar event from February 2025, he remarked that a 36-year-old pregnant woman was pushed from a moving train near Katpadi in Tamil Nadu during an attempted sexual assault.

He referenced official statistics indicating a dramatic rise in safety-related complaints, stating, "Broader data reveals a worrying escalation in safety concerns — complaints about passenger safety in trains surged by 64 percent, from 4.57 lakh in 2023-24 to over 7.50 lakh in 2024-25."

He mentioned that incidents of harassment and violence against women in transit and at stations have also steadily increased.

"These recurring violations — from physical assaults to eve-teasing — depict a grim reality of systemic failures in enforcement and infrastructure, eroding public confidence in the Indian Railways," Venugopal wrote.

Calling for prompt and decisive action, he urged the Railway Minister to ensure a stronger onboard security presence, enhance surveillance, and rigorously enforce the use of women-only coaches. He also proposed a thorough audit and consistent reporting mechanisms to track the effectiveness of safety measures.

"Given the gravity of the situation, I urge you to reaffirm the Railways’ commitment to security and prevent such atrocities from recurring," Venugopal articulated in his message.

The Kerala MP stressed that safeguarding women passengers must be viewed as a non-negotiable priority and advocated for accountability measures to tackle the rising crimes against women on trains.

This letter emerges amidst escalating public outrage over the Varkala train incident, reigniting concerns regarding women's safety in public transport systems.