Did Sports Minister Receive a Report from Record Holder Dev Meena After Being Forced Off a Train?
Synopsis
In a troubling incident, pole vault record holder Dev Meena faced humiliation from a railway official after being forced off a train for carrying his equipment. Despite notifying the Sports Minister, no action has been taken. This incident raises broader concerns about how athletes are treated while traveling with their gear.
Key Takeaways
Dev Meena faced severe humiliation from a railway official.
He was fined Rs 5000 for carrying sports equipment.
The incident raises questions about athletes' treatment during travel.
Meena's appeal to the Sports Minister highlights the need for policy change.
There is a history of athletes facing travel issues with equipment.
Mumbai, Jan 20 (NationPress) Dev Meena, the national record holder in pole vault, has accused Indian Railways of failing to take action after he and fellow athlete were compelled to deboard a train, truncating their journey from Mangaluru to Bhopal at Panvel in Maharashtra due to his five-meter long pole vault pole.
Furthermore, Meena, who holds the national record of 5.40m in men's pole vault, stated that he, along with athlete Kuldeep Yadav and his coach Ghanshyam Yadav, faced humiliation at the hands of a Travelling Ticket Examiner (TTE), who forced them off the train, detained them for five hours, and imposed a fine of Rs 5000.
Reports indicate that the ticket examiner enforced the recent luggage regulations of Indian Railways regarding the athletes' five-meter carbon fiber poles, valued at Rs 2 lakh each, and expelled them from the train.
“We experienced humiliation at the hands of the railway official. Despite our repeated pleas for assistance, we were left with no choice but to pay the fine. We attempted to explain the significance of pole vaulting, but he would not listen. It was incredibly embarrassing. Eventually, we chose to record a video of the incident, which went viral, yet no action has been taken. We have also notified the Sports Minister,” Dev Meena stated to IANS, reflecting on the incident.
Dev Meena, who set the national record of 5.40m in men's pole vault at the World University Games in Bochum, Germany, in July 2025, urged Indian Railways to permit sports equipment with appropriate charges, cautioning about the repercussions on younger athletes and their careers.
“The authorities should provide us with an official letter to prevent such occurrences in the future, allowing us to present the letter when necessary,” said the national record holder in men’s pole vault.
This is not the first instance when athletes have encountered difficulties while traveling with their gear. For years, shooters have faced challenges while transporting their firearms and ammunition. Most athletes prefer to carry their valuable equipment with them, fearing damage due to mishandling when checked in at the airplane's cargo hold or the luggage compartment of a train. Numerous complaints have surfaced regarding this issue over time.
Point of View
It is crucial to highlight the ongoing struggles athletes face while traveling with their equipment. The incident involving Dev Meena is a stark reminder that our sports authorities need to ensure proper regulations are in place to support athletes rather than hinder them. It is imperative that we advocate for changes that respect and recognize the hard work and dedication of our sportspeople.
NationPress
30 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to Dev Meena on the train?
Dev Meena was forced to deboard a train and fined Rs 5000 for carrying his pole vault pole, facing humiliation from a railway official.
What action has been taken by Indian Railways?
As of now, Indian Railways has not taken any action despite the incident being reported to them.
How much was the fine imposed on Meena?
Dev Meena was fined Rs 5000 for traveling with his pole vault equipment.
What is the value of the pole vault poles?
The five-meter carbon fiber poles are valued at Rs 2 lakh each.
Who did Dev Meena inform about the incident?
Dev Meena informed the Sports Minister about the incident and the treatment he faced.
