Mr Azmi, make way for the handicapped

Passengers grumble as Samajwadi Party MP and his team barged into the handicapped compartment in local train, did not even offer seat to the disabled

Mr Azmi, make way for the handicapped

Passengers grumble as Samajwadi Party MP and his team barged into the handicapped compartment in local train, did not even offer seat to the disabled

The law is the greatest equaliser in society. However, what do you do when lawmakers themselves break laws?
u00a0
That's what happened when Samajwadi Party MP Abu Azmi travelled by the handicapped compartment in a local train on Friday.

Abu Azmi

In an attempt to avoid the jostling crowds, Azmi and his 10-member team boarded the train in the handicapped compartment on Friday to Mira Road.
u00a0
Passengers claim that they had to stand in the compartment while he travelled in comfort.
u00a0
Azmi was on his way to Mira Road to inaugurate an office and decided to take the train in order to avoid the traffic on the roads.

Eyewitnesses confirm that he boarded the 7.17 pm Virar local from Churchgate station.

Kunal Ojha (28), one of the passengers in the handicapped compartment, grumbled, "He often travels
in our compartment.

He travelled in the same compartment on January 14 too. He was comfortably sitting with guards and didn't even offer a seat when he saw us standing."

Jitendra Karelia added, "Azmi and his men rushed into our compartment, even though he is not allowed to travel in the compartment. If famous people like him disregard rules, what can we expect from others?"

When MiD DAY contacted the railway authorities, Divisional Regional Manager (DRM) Girish Pillai said
that he assumed it was a mistake on Azmi's case.u00a0

"Maybe he was unaware that he was travelling in the handicapped compartment."

The Other Side

Azmi refuted all claims of breaking any laws and further elaborated that it might be a conspiracy planted by the Opposition.

"I did not break any rule. I was invited by the disabled people to see what troubles they have to face while travelling by train.
u00a0
They were very happy when I boarded their coach. I observed maximum female commuters boarding the handicapped coach."

However, the passengers who were there in the coach denied inviting Azmi inside the coach. "We did not invite him," said Jitendra Karelia.