Political heat intensifies around the pilot’s valor
The Bharatiya Janata Party has zeroed in on Congress stalwart Rahul Gandhi, questioning his lack of comment after Captain Smit Machchhar sustained injuries while foiling an alleged hijack attempt on a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv.
BJP lauds the captain’s determination
Party mouthpiece Sambit Patra commended Machchhar for prying open the cockpit door despite his wounds, enabling the crew and passengers to wrest back control of the aircraft. The plane subsequently touched down safely in Saudi Arabia. Patra called the captain’s “courage and quick thinking” a textbook example of duty.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also reached out to the injured pilot during his convalescence, applauding his role in preventing a possible tragedy.
Congress urged to break its silence
The BJP’s criticism hinges on the complete absence of a public statement from Rahul Gandhi. Senior party figures, including Sudhanshu Trivedi, have pressed the Gandhi family to acknowledge the pilot’s heroism, pointing out the stark contrast between this silence and the accolades showered by other senior officials.
Parallel jab at Congress’s Pakistan policy
In the same breath, the BJP targeted veteran Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar for his remarks endorsing dialogue with Pakistan. BJP cadres argued that Aiyar’s stance runs counter to the government’s firm line on the neighbour, using the issue to cast doubt on Congress’s overall national‑security perspective.
Investigation still underway
The precise details of the alleged assault on Captain Machchhar by a co‑pilot remain under scrutiny. As the probe continues, the episode has morphed into a flashpoint in the broader BJP‑Congress rivalry, intertwining aviation safety concerns with larger political narratives.
