BJP MP opposes Railways' massage plan, dubs it 'standardless'

Days after the Railways announced that massage services will be made available to passengers on board running trains, BJP MP from Indore, Shankar Lalwani, has questioned the move, terming it as "standardless".

The newly-elected MP has written a letter to Railway Minister Piyush Goyal on June 10, expressing his reservations on the move. In the letter, he has said that it would not be appropriate to provide massage to passengers, especially in the presence of fellow women travellers.

As per the plan, the massage facility will be made available in 39 trains departing from Indore, including Dehradun-Indore Express (14317), New Delhi-Indore Intercity Express (12416) and Indore-Amritsar Express (19325).

"I am surprised that considering the norms of the Indian culture, will it be appropriate to provide massage services on running trains, especially in the presence of women?
Talking to PTI over his letter, he said, "Members of some local women's organisations and social bodies met me recently. I have written the letter to the railway minister based on the suggestions given by them."