A recent incident on a train has sparked a heated debate online after a man claimed he was harassed for refusing to give up his confirmed seat for a family with RAC (Reservation Against Cancellation) tickets. The man, who had a confirmed side upper berth ticket, shared his frustrating experience in a Reddit post that has since gone viral, igniting discussions about passenger rights and etiquette on trains.

According to the post, the man was traveling from Indore when a family with RAC tickets boarded at Ujjain. The family insisted that the lower seat associated with their RAC tickets was solely theirs, even though the man had a confirmed reservation for seat number 64, a side upper berth. The situation quickly escalated, leading to a confrontation that left the man feeling both angry and guilty.

The man further claimed that when a Ticket Examiner (TTE) arrived, instead of resolving the dispute fairly, the TTE allegedly pressured him to concede his seat. He stated that the TTE advised him to "understand" the family's situation and even threatened him, implying that adhering strictly to the rules would be unfavorable to him. The passenger stood his ground, refusing to relinquish his rightfully reserved seat.

The core of the issue lies in the nature of RAC tickets in the Indian Railways system. RAC tickets allow passengers to board the train, but they are not guaranteed a confirmed berth immediately. Instead, two passengers with RAC tickets are allotted one side lower berth to share until a confirmed berth becomes available due to cancellations or no-shows. This often leads to overcrowding and disputes, particularly when passengers with confirmed tickets are asked to accommodate those with RAC tickets.

The Reddit post highlights the challenges faced by passengers with confirmed tickets who are pressured to give up their seats, especially to families or those traveling in groups. While compassion and understanding are often encouraged, the incident raises questions about the extent to which passengers should be expected to compromise their confirmed reservations. It also sheds light on the role of TTEs in managing such situations and ensuring fair treatment for all passengers. Many online commenters sided with the man, arguing that having a confirmed ticket should guarantee a seat without pressure to give it up. Others suggested that while the man was within his rights, a more compassionate approach might have eased the situation.