Kunal Kamra claims nearly 22,000 rail deaths in 2023; Railways “fact check” confirms 21,803
Netizens claim Railways’ response is not fact check, but ‘double verification’
New Delhi: Indian Railways’ social media fact-check account has responded to comedian Kunal Kamra’s claim in a viral video that nearly 22,000 people died in rail accidents in 2023, confirming the official figure as 21,803 and sparking widespread online trolling.
"Certain facts and footage in this video are misleading in nature and is an attempt to sabotage the image of Railways. Kindly refrain from sharing such misleading content," the Railways said in a post on X, attaching the comedian's pictures.
Kamra sought clarification on the reply, asking the Railways to point out the factual errors in his video. The subsequent response from the PSU provided detailed clarifications, leaving netizens surprised.
Kamra had claimed there were nearly 25,000 railway accidents in 2023, but the Railways clarified that the actual figure was 24,678 accidents. On his claim of nearly 22,000 deaths, the Railways confirmed the official count was 21,803 deaths for the year.
The post attracted widespread attention on social media, with users both trolling and debating the “fact check”. One user commented, “This is not fact check, this is double verification,” while another joked, “Are you dumb?” Others questioned the approximation, asking, “What is this fact check? Do you understand approximate?”
The Railways also addressed Kamra’s other claims. Regarding overworked loco-pilots with frequent night shifts, the Railways said the HOER law prescribes rest periods and working hours for them. Kamra’s statement that 400 track maintainers die annually was refuted, with the Railways clarifying that this figure is cumulative over several years and includes unrelated deaths.
On Kamra’s claims of numerous accidents due to signal failures, the Railways highlighted that there were 1,711 such incidents between 2004 and 2014, which fell drastically to 34 in 2023 and 10 so far this year. Signal failure details, it noted, are publicly available.
Refer to the details in the video for the correct facts.#IRFactCheck https://t.co/hdsfn2Wv3k pic.twitter.com/zYBW7SHiLC
— Railway Fact Check (@IRFactCheck) November 20, 2025
What? Are you defending or proving that what Kunal said was right? pic.twitter.com/DyIl0sSl5W
— Mayur Jadhav (@mayurjadhavpage) November 20, 2025
This not fact check, this double verification of claim 😂😂😂
— Galactus (@Galactsx) November 20, 2025
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Karnataka govt tables bill in Assembly that prohibits social boycott, violators to face 3 yrs jail
Belagavi (PTI): Karnataka government on Thursday tabled a bill in the Assembly that prohibits and criminalises social boycott of a person or a group of persons, including their family, especially by "caste panchayats".
The bill also provides for a jail term of up to three years and a fine of Rs 1 lakh for violation.
The 'Karnataka Social Boycott (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Bill, 2025' that was tabled in the Assembly by Social Welfare Minister H C Mahadevappa lists 20 forms of social boycotts, which includes refusal to deal with, work for hire or do business; denying opportunities, including access to services or contractual opportunities for rendering services.
Also, obstruction from participation in social, religious or community functions, congregations, assembly, meeting or procession; committing social ostracism on any grounds; blocking access to facilities; cutting-off of ties; among others.
As per the bill, it has been observed that the unconstitutional practices such as boycotts, imposition of various punishments by extra judicial bodies such as caste or community panchayats etc., are still in practice in various communities in the state, resulting in great harassment to individuals or groups in leading their lives with dignity.
Stating that this has adverse effects on the social life of the community and has given rise to ill feeling and disharmony in the society, it said, "it is therefore necessary to eradicate these evil and unconstitutional practices from the society."
The bill further states that the existing laws are found to be inadequate in dealing with such practices, and the government therefore considers it expedient to enact a legislation.
"It is accordingly proposed to prevent the evil practices of imposition of social boycott, social discrimination and social disabilities at various levels by caste or community panchayats or by its members and prescribe punishment for such social boycott. It is also proposed to appoint the social boycott prohibition officer," it said.
The bill makes it clear that social boycott is prohibited and its commission and practice shall be an offence.
"Any person who imposes or causes to impose or practice any social boycott on any member of his community, shall on conviction be punished with imprisonment of either description, which may be extended to three years or with fine which may be extended to rupees one lakh or with both," he said.
It said, any assembly or congregation of persons to discuss imposing a social boycott will be "unlawful" and attract a fine of up to Rs 1 lakh.
It further says that every person who aids or abets the commission of an offence shall be punished with imprisonment which may extend to three years or with fine which may extend to Rs one lakh or with both.
Any offences punishable in this proposed legislation shall be cognizable and bailable.
The bill provides for the government to appoint a Social Boycott Prohibition Officer to detect offences.
The government also tabled "The Greater Bengaluru Governance (Second Amendment) Bill, 2025 in the Assembly on Thursday.
The bill tabled by Minister Mahadevappa on behalf of Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar amends the Greater Bengaluru Governance Act, 2024 to include the members of Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, State Legislative Assembly and State Legislative Council as members of the Greater Bengaluru Authority.
It also provides for including the Chief Secretary, Additional Chief Secretary Urban Development Department, and the Additional Chief Secretary or the Principal Secretary Finance Department as ex-officio members of the authority. Also to appoint the Additional Chief Secretary Urban Development Department as a member of the executive committee.
It also provides for -- the re-division of wards in respect of newly incorporated local areas to be carried out within a specified period; bringing clarity to the conduct of elections for newly added local areas to the Greater Bengaluru region; among other things.
