Elderly Man Abused Over Seat on Nagpur-Pune Train, Son Shares Ordeal on Reddit
Elderly Man Abused Over Seat on Nagpur-Pune Train, Son Shares Ordeal on Reddit
A recent Reddit post has stirred strong reactions across social media after a young man recounted a distressing experience involving his 73-year-old father, who was verbally abused by a co-passenger on board the Humsafar Express traveling from Nagpur to Pune. The incident, which took place on August 1, was shared on the popular subreddit r/IndianRailways and has since drawn attention to the treatment of elderly passengers on Indian trains.
According to the post titled, “A teen guy abused my 73-year-old dad verbally for a single seat,” the 22-year-old Reddit user explained how both he and his elderly father were allotted inconvenient upper berths — one side-upper and one regular upper berth. This posed a challenge, as the senior citizen, who reportedly suffers from heart and leg issues, was unable to sit comfortably during the day.
The user admitted that the tickets had been booked by relatives, and they were not fully familiar with the official seating rules. Still, he had heard that passengers with side upper berths are typically allowed to sit on the side-lower berth from 6 AM to 10 PM. Operating under this understanding, he approached a younger passenger and made a polite request for accommodation.
‘Bhaiya, aap thoda sarak jaaye toh mere papa ko baithna hai,’ he said. However, instead of offering help or even refusing politely, the co-passenger responded coldly, saying, “Yeh seat puri meri hai, kahin aur bitha isko.”
Despite multiple requests made in a calm manner, the co-passenger allegedly ignored them, eventually putting on his earbuds to avoid any further interaction. The situation escalated when the user gently tapped the passenger on the knee to get his attention, only to be met with foul language — not just directed at the son, but at his elderly father.
Even after trying to reason with him and explaining that he only wanted a spot for his father to sit for a while, the young man continued hurling verbal abuse, seemingly unfazed. The father, unable to bear the insult, felt emotionally hurt and humiliated, particularly as he was already physically uncomfortable and unwell.
As the night approached, the father eventually managed to climb up to the side-upper berth, but not without difficulty. The son, disturbed by the incident, brought the matter to the attention of the TTE (Travelling Ticket Examiner), only to be further disappointed. The official reportedly dismissed the issue with a cold response: “I don’t care, ask him, not me about this.”
Labeling the ordeal as the “worst experience” of his travel life, the user wrapped up his post with a heartfelt reminder about empathy for elderly passengers: “Think twice — people are good and bad too. If you’ve got old people with you, be aware.”
The post triggered an outpouring of support and frustration from fellow Redditors. One user commented, “Felt very bad reading this,” while another suggested, “Change yourself to be strong enough to defend your family,” indicating the emotional toll the situation could take. Some even reacted with anger, with a comment reading, “I would’ve punched him,” reflecting the disbelief and outrage many felt over such disrespect shown to a senior citizen.
This incident sheds light on a broader issue — not just about seat sharing, but about compassion, basic manners, and the responsibilities of co-passengers and railway staff. In a country where elders are traditionally respected, situations like these raise concerns about changing attitudes and lack of sensitivity in public spaces. As the post continues to garner attention, it stands as a reminder for travelers a little kindness can go a long way, especially when it comes to our elderly.
