Political heat intensifies around the pilot’s gallantry
The Bharatiya Janata Party has shifted its spotlight onto Congress stalwart Rahul Gandhi, probing his lack of comment after Captain Smit Machchhar sustained injuries while foiling an alleged hijack attempt on a Flydubai flight en route from Dubai to Tel Aviv.
BJP lauds the aviator’s resolve
Party mouthpiece Sambit Patra commended Machchhar for prying open the cockpit door despite his wounds, a move that allowed the crew and passengers to wrest back control of the aircraft. The plane subsequently touched down safely in Saudi Arabia. Patra highlighted the captain’s “courage and presence of mind” as a benchmark of public service.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also reached out to the pilot during his convalescence, praising his decisive role in preventing a disaster.
Congress urged to break its silence
The BJP’s reproach centers on the total absence of a public statement from Rahul Gandhi. Senior party figures, including Sudhanshu Trivedi, have pressed the Gandhi family for an explanation as to why they have not publicly honoured the pilot’s bravery, pointing out the stark contrast with the accolades showered by other top officials.
Parallel jab at Congress’s Pakistan policy
In the same vein, the BJP seized upon comments made by veteran Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar, who advocated dialogue with Pakistan. BJP leaders argued that Aiyar’s stance runs counter to the government’s hard‑line posture toward the neighbour, using the instance to question Congress’s overall national‑security outlook.
Investigation remains ongoing
The exact details of the alleged assault on Captain Machchhar by a co‑pilot are still under probe. As the inquiry proceeds, the episode has become a flashpoint in the broader BJP‑Congress rivalry, intertwining aviation safety concerns with larger political narratives.
