After a video showing a religious ceremony inside a moving train coach went viral on social media, Northern Railway has clarified that the rituals were conducted in a privately booked saloon coach and not inside a regular passenger compartment.
Hello @AshwiniVaishnaw, was this approved by @RailMinIndia? If so, What is the procedure? pic.twitter.com/9VUJP53lJQ
— Mohammed Zubair (@zoo_bear) July 12, 2026
The clarification came after the clip, which surfaced days after the viral "Suhagrat coach" controversy, sparked questions online over whether religious ceremonies are permitted inside train coaches.
Responding to posts on X, Northern Railway said the puja was held in a special saloon car booked commercially through IRCTC. According to the railway zone, the booking was made on July 8, with the private party paying an advance of Rs 3,08,580.
The saloon coach was scheduled to be attached to Train No. 12926 Paschim Express for a one-way journey from New Delhi (NDLS) to Mumbai (BDTS) on July 10.
👉🏻 The Saloon Car was booked by IRCTC on 08.07.26.The party made an advance payment of Rs 3,08,580
as commercial booking. The Saloon Car was to be attached in Train No. 12926 Paschim Express on one way journey from New Delhi (NDLS) to Mumbai (BDTS) on 10.07.2026.
👉🏻NR issued…
— Northern Railway (@RailwayNorthern) July 12, 2026
"The Saloon Car was booked by IRCTC on 08.07.26. The party made an advance payment of Rs 3,08,580 as commercial booking. The Saloon Car was to be attached to Train No. 12926 Paschim Express on a one-way journey from New Delhi (NDLS) to Mumbai (BDTS) on 10.07.2026," Northern Railway said in its post on X.
A railway saloon coach is a private, premium carriage equipped with air-conditioned bedrooms, a living and dining area, a kitchenette and attached washrooms. Such coaches can be booked commercially under prescribed railway rules.
Northern Railway also emphasised that passenger safety, security and train operations were not affected by the event.
"The primary roles and responsibilities of ensuring punctuality, safety, security and convenience of passengers lie with Railways without any compromise," the railway zone said.
The clarification follows widespread speculation after the video showed a priest performing rituals while several devotees, many dressed in white, participated in the ceremony inside the moving coach. Railway authorities said the event took place in a private saloon coach and not in a regular passenger coach, addressing concerns raised on social media.