A family traveling from Chengalpattu to Chennai had a disturbing experience after being repeatedly harassed by co-passengers in the first class compartment of a suburban train.
Despite holding valid first class tickets, they were questioned at multiple stations by strangers who assumed they did not belong there.
The family consisting of the father, mother, daughter, and grandmother, boarded the train with minimal luggage and appropriate attire. Yet from the moment they stepped into the coach, fellow passengers began questioning them aggressively, demanding to see their tickets and making condescending remarks. One woman even told the mother to get up, claiming “this is first class” despite available seats and no sign of crowding.
The daughter, who later shared the experience online, expressed disbelief at the entitlement and judgment they faced for simply using a service they paid for. She also mentioned how her mother was stared at uncomfortably throughout the journey, making the 1.5 hour ride emotionally draining.
A local commuter added context, saying that Chengalpattu to Tambaram often lacks ticket checks, leading to many riding first class without paying.
While some passengers act out of concern or habit, they acknowledged that such unsolicited gatekeeping can go too far. “It’s just basic decency” they said, noting that while ticket checks at Tambaram and Chromepet are routine, constant questioning by strangers is unnecessary and invasive.
What was meant to be a practical choice to avoid traffic turned into a harsh reminder of the class prejudice and moral policing present in daily public travel.
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