Paromita Das
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 16th August. On September 16th, Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Saket Gokhale caused a stir on social media by spreading false claims about the contract for constructing Vande Bharat sleeper trains. Using his X (formerly Twitter) account, Gokhale alleged that the cost of these trains had skyrocketed by 50%, accusing the Modi government of quid pro quo corruption. However, the Ministry of Railways quickly debunked Gokhale’s claims, highlighting inaccuracies in his statements and clarifying the rationale behind the revised contract. This incident marks yet another episode in Gokhale’s long history of spreading misinformation and conspiracy theories on public platforms.
Saket Gokhale’s Claims and Allegations
In his viral post, Gokhale claimed that the contract for building Vande Bharat sleeper trains, originally pegged at ₹58,000 crores, had been unfairly revised to reduce the number of trains while increasing their cost by 50%. According to his tweet, the cost per train had escalated from ₹290 crores to ₹436 crores, while the number of trains had been slashed from 200 to 133. Gokhale accused the Modi government of engaging in corrupt practices, suggesting that someone was benefiting from the inflated costs.
Gokhale further criticized the Vande Bharat project as elitist, claiming that the all-AC sleeper trains were designed to cater only to the rich, with no concern for affordability for the poor. His incendiary tweet quickly gained traction, drawing attention from government critics and fueling the already polarized political climate in Bharat.
Ministry of Railways Debunks the Claims
Soon after Gokhale’s tweet went viral, the Ministry of Railways responded to his allegations, exposing the flaws in his argument. The Ministry clarified that the increase in cost per train was not due to corruption or price manipulation but a result of increasing the number of coaches per train. Instead of 16 coaches, the new trains would now have 24 coaches to meet the growing demand for railway travel.
Please stop spreading misinformation and fake news.
Cost per coach multiplied by number of coaches equals the cost of train.
In sleeper project, cost per coach is lower than all benchmarks because of the transparency in process.
We have increased the number of coaches from… https://t.co/tLUmUsGx5x
— Ministry of Railways (@RailMinIndia) September 16, 2024
The Ministry also pointed out that while the number of trains had been reduced, the total number of coaches to be constructed remained virtually unchanged. Under the previous contract, 200 trains with 16 coaches each would have amounted to 3,200 coaches. Under the revised contract, 133 trains with 24 coaches each would result in a total of 3,192 coaches—an insignificant reduction in total capacity.
Additionally, the Ministry revealed that by increasing the length of the trains, economies of scale had been achieved, actually reducing the total contract value rather than increasing it. The explanation provided by the Ministry debunked Gokhale’s claims and highlighted his lack of understanding of the contract’s details.
Gokhale’s Misinformation History
This is far from the first time that Saket Gokhale has been caught peddling misinformation and conspiracy theories. Gokhale, who gained prominence as a Right to Information (RTI) activist, has repeatedly found himself in the middle of controversy for spreading false or misleading information about government policies, political events, and even individuals.
Ventilator Scam Allegations
In June 2020, Gokhale stirred up a major controversy by alleging that ₹750 crores from the PM CARES Fund had gone missing during the procurement of ventilators for hospitals. According to Gokhale, there was a ‘ventilator scam’ at play, suggesting that public money had been siphoned off through fraudulent contracts. However, these claims were swiftly debunked by Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), a public-sector company involved in the ventilator production. BEL not only dismissed Gokhale’s allegations but also filed a ₹1 crore defamation suit against him for damaging the company’s reputation.
Misinformation on the Anti-CAA Protests
During the anti-CAA protests in January 2020, Gokhale spread false claims regarding a slogan that had gained notoriety during the protests. He alleged that the Delhi Police had given him permission to chant the incendiary slogan “Desh ke gaddaron ko, goli maaro saalon ko” (Shoot the traitors). This claim was quickly exposed as a lie when the Delhi Police released an official statement denying that any such permission had been granted. Despite this, Gokhale continued to peddle the narrative, casting doubt on the police and fueling misinformation around the protests.
False Accusations Against Facebook Executive Ankhi Das
In another high-profile incident in August 2020, Gokhale falsely accused Ankhi Das, the then-Public Policy Director of Facebook, of having ties with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). He claimed that Das had attended events organized by RSS-affiliated groups, posting an image that he claimed was proof of her participation. However, it was later revealed that the person in the image was not Ankhi Das but her twin sister, Dr. Rashmi Das, who had no connection to the allegations Gokhale was making. This false accusation led to threats of legal action from the organization involved.
Fabricating Claims During the COVID-19 Crisis
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Gokhale accused the Maharashtra government of corruption related to the distribution of Remdesivir, an antiviral drug in high demand. He specifically targeted the BJP and its leader, Devendra Fadnavis, for allegedly obtaining the drug through questionable means. Gokhale’s claims, once again, lacked evidence, and his assertions were dismissed by authorities.
The Impact of Misinformation in Politics
Saket Gokhale’s repeated spreading of false claims raises important concerns about the role of misinformation in modern political discourse. In an era where social media amplifies every statement, the line between truth and falsehood can quickly blur, with serious consequences for public perception and governance.
Gokhale’s accusations against the Vande Bharat project were not just an isolated case of misinformation but part of a broader pattern where facts are manipulated to serve political interests. In each of these incidents, Gokhale’s tactics follow a predictable script: make sensational claims, stir up public sentiment, and then refuse to back down even when the facts are exposed. This strategy not only undermines trust in political leaders and institutions but also erodes the integrity of public debate.
The impact of such misinformation is especially damaging in Bharat, a country with deep political divisions and a rapidly evolving digital landscape. When political actors like Gokhale spread falsehoods, it increases polarization and fuels cynicism about government initiatives, even those that are designed to benefit the public.
Conclusion
The controversy surrounding Saket Gokhale’s fake news about the Vande Bharat sleeper trains is yet another example of the dangers posed by misinformation in contemporary politics. Gokhale’s claims were quickly debunked by the Ministry of Railways, which provided a detailed explanation of the rationale behind the revised contract. However, the damage caused by such falsehoods can linger, particularly when they are amplified by social media and picked up by political opponents.
The political leaders like Gokhale have a responsibility to verify the facts before making public accusations. While robust political debate is essential in any democracy, the use of misinformation to score political points is a disservice to the public. Misinformation not only undermines trust in democratic institutions but also distracts from legitimate issues that deserve attention.
It is high time that political leaders and activists, regardless of their party affiliation, are held accountable for spreading false information. A healthy democracy thrives on truth, transparency, and constructive debate—not on baseless accusations and conspiracy theories. Public figures must lead by example, ensuring that their statements are grounded in fact and made in the best interests of the nation.
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