New Delhi: Congress Friday hailed the courage of Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar, who foiled an attempt by his co-pilot to allegedly crash an Israel-bound flydubai flight, and said the entire nation is in awe of what he did.
Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said, “Captain Smit Machchhar’s courage, quick thinking and resolute action will forever remain inspirational.”
The entire nation is in awe of what he did, Ramesh added.
His remarks came after the BJP slammed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for his “silence” on Machchhar’s bravery and accused the Gandhi family and the Congress of indulging in “appeasement politics” due to the “religion of the terrorist” attacker.
On Thursday, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge had praised Machchhar and wished him a swift and full recovery.
BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had spoken to Machchhar, praised his courage and wished him a speedy recovery.
Raising questions over the Congress leadership’s response, Bhatia said, “At a time when the entire country is feeling proud of Captain Smit Machchhar, why could Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi not issue a statement or make a post in his honour? Sonia Gandhi has also maintained silence, and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has remained silent too.”
He wondered whether the Congress was indulging in appeasement politics and looking at the religion of the terrorist.
In a post on X, Kharge had said, “I salute Indian Captain Smit Machchhar, the crew, and all who showed extraordinary courage and presence of mind under attack, helping save precious lives.”
He also wished Machchhar a “swift and full recovery”.
The flydubai flight FZ1073, travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv, had transmitted emergency signals on Wednesday and made a sharp descent of more than 17,000 feet from 34,000 feet before diverting to Prince Sultan Bin Abdel Aziz Airport in Saudi Arabia’s Tabuk city. The flight was carrying 174 passengers, including 27 children.
In videos circulating on social media, the pilot can be seen drenched in blood, wearing an oxygen mask and lying on his back in the galley of the aircraft.
