Frustration boiled over on the railway tracks at Vijayapura on Saturday as hundreds of candidates, desperate to reach a crucial recruitment exam, staged a dramatic protest against a train delay that threatened to derail their futures.

Key facts

  • The Vijayapura-Yeshwantpur train was delayed due to technical faults
  • Around 1,000 candidates were traveling to take a police constable exam
  • The protest blocked the Basava Express and lasted several hours
  • South Western Railway arranged an alternative locomotive after a 4-hour delay

A Tense Standoff

What began as a routine journey turned into a high-stakes standoff. The train, scheduled to depart at 1:50 p.m., finally left Vijayapura at 2:35 p.m.—only for its locomotive to develop faults again at Ibrahimpur. With every passing minute, anxiety grew among the candidates who had studied for months for this single opportunity.

Their patience snapped. They moved onto the tracks, blocking the oncoming Basava Express, and raised slogans against South Western Railway. Railway Protection Force personnel tried to calm them, but the crowd’s determination was unwavering.

Resolution Under Pressure

South Western Railway officials scrambled to find a solution. After four tense hours, they arranged an alternative locomotive. The train finally resumed its journey—but the candidates issued a stern warning: if they missed the exam, SWR would bear full responsibility.

Thankfully, the railway managed to run the train on a priority basis. It reached Yeshwantpur at 7:10 a.m. on Sunday, well past its scheduled 5:00 a.m. arrival—but just in time. The candidates were allowed to sit for the examination, averting what could have been a devastating outcome for many.

Another Interruption

Meanwhile, in a separate incident, the Sampark Kranti train heading to Chandigarh was briefly detained on suspicion of carrying Bangladeshi nationals. The action followed a complaint from a Hindutva organization in Davangere. After inspection, police found no Bangladeshis on board—only a woman from Uttar Pradesh, whose documents were verified. No one was detained.