Political storm swirls around the pilot’s valor
The Bharatiya Janata Party has shifted its spotlight onto Congress stalwart Rahul Gandhi, probing his lack of comment after Captain Smit Machchhar suffered injuries while foiling an alleged hijack attempt on a Flydubai aircraft bound for Tel Aviv.
BJP hails the aviator’s determination
Spokesperson Sambit Patra commended Machchhar for forcing open the cockpit door despite his wounds, a move that allowed the crew and passengers to regain command of the plane, which later touched down safely in Saudi Arabia. Patra described the captain’s “courage and presence of mind” as a textbook example of public service.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also reached out to the injured captain during his convalescence, praising his decisive action in averting a potential catastrophe.
Congress urged to break its silence
The BJP’s criticism hinges on the conspicuous absence of any public statement from Rahul Gandhi. Party figures such as Sudhanshu Trivedi have pressed the Gandhi family to explain why they have not publicly honoured the pilot’s deeds, drawing a stark contrast with the accolades showered by other senior officials.
Parallel attack on Congress’s Pakistan policy
In the same breath, the BJP targeted senior Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar for his remarks endorsing dialogue with Pakistan. BJP leaders argued that Aiyar’s stance runs counter to the government’s firm posture toward the neighbour, using the issue to cast doubt on Congress’s overall national‑security perspective.
Investigation remains ongoing
The exact details of the alleged assault on Captain Machchhar by a co‑pilot are still under probe. As the inquiry unfolds, the episode has become a flashpoint in the broader BJP‑Congress rivalry, intertwining aviation safety concerns with larger political narratives.
