The dress code of the service staff onboard the Ramayan Express, run by the Indian Railways with much fanfare, has undergone a complete change after saints from Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh took exception to their saffron attire and rudraksh mala, terming it an insult to Hindu religion and threatening to stop the train in Delhi.
The saints wrote to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw in this regard following which the Ministry swung into action to effect the change given the sentiments attached. Some passengers too have protested the dress code.
The Indian Railways quickly worked upon to change the dress code of the waiters with a totally new set of attire. Now the waiters with sadhu looks will wear shirts and trousers, with a turban as headgear. The only saffron connection will be the face masks and hand-gloves of the colour and as per the requirements of the covid protocols.
“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,” said a spokesman of Ministry of Railways.
The decision comes after a section of seers led by Ujjain Akhada Parishad's former general secretary Avdeshpuri announced that the seers will stop the train at Delhi's Safdarjung railway station on the next journey on December 12 if the saffron dress code of the waiters is not changed.
"We have written a letter to the Union Railway Minister lodging our protest against waiters serving refreshments and food in the Ramayan Express in saffron. Donning saffron attire with a sadhu-like headgear and wearing malas (necklaces) of rudraksha is an insult to the Hindu religion and its seers. We will sit on the railway tracks. This is necessary for protecting the Hindu religion. We have taken a strong view of this issue in Ujjain," Avdeshpuri informed the media early in the day. Ujjain city, where Shree Mahakaleshwar Temple of Lord Shiva is located, hosts Simhastha Kumbh Mela every 12 years.
When informed about the change of dress code, the Parishad’s members expressed satisfaction and said they were glad as the Railways responded immediately keeping in mind the sentiments of Hindus and Hindu faith followers.
The country's first Ramayan circuit train chugged off on a 17-day journey from the Safdarjung railway station on November 7. This train visits 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, Prayag, Nandigram, Janakpur, Chitrakoot, Sitamarhi, Nasik, Hampi and Rameshwaram. The Ramayan Express is equipped with first-class restaurants, library and shower cubicles.
