PM slams opposition leaders for targeting Vande Bharat Express

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tuesday hit back at opposition leaders for "targeting and mocking" semi-high speed train Vande Bharat Express, terming it an an "insult" to engineers and technicians.

The prime minister was responding to the criticism by Congress President Rahul Gandhi and SP leader Akhilesh Yadav of the train, which had developed a snag on its return journey from Varanasi to Delhi on Saturday, hours after its inaugural run.

"Some persons targeting and mocking at semi-high speed train. This is unfortunate. This is an insult to engineers and technicians involved in the project. People should remain alert against such persons who are insulting engineers and technicians and mocking the country," the PM said while addressing a public meeting here.

He asked the people not to get "demoralised by those surrounded by negativity".

"I salute engineering professionals, who will in future make a bullet train in India and run it also...I am getting letter of people who are hurt", the PM said asking them, "Whether it is right to insult engineers and technicians? Is mocking them right. Can they be pardoned? Should they not be given right punishment at the right time."
He said the "country is proud of them (engineers) and their hard work."