Flydubai Pilot: Why the Silence from the Gandhi Family and INDIA Bloc?

Why are Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, and Priyanka Gandhi not reacting to the valour of Indian-origin Flydubai pilot Captain Smit Machchhar, who helped save the lives of 174 passengers and eight crew members despite suffering grievous injuries?

This has become a significant question in political circles.

Rahul Gandhi, backed by a large social media team, is hardly known for staying silent on issues. He regularly takes to X to voice his views on political developments and events from across the world. Yet, three days after the Flydubai incident, there has been no public reaction from him acknowledging, congratulating or commending the extraordinary courage of the Indian pilot.

The BJP has flagged this issue and questioned whether Rahul Gandhi sees some political discomfort in praising Captain Smit Machchhar. The BJP has pointed to the fact that Machchhar is a devout Hindu who told Prime Minister Narendra Modi that he was chanting the ‘Hanuman Chalisa’ while fighting to regain control of the cockpit. He also said that his son sits in his lap while he performs puja and recites the Hanuman Chalisa. Smit said, “We are away from our country, not our culture.”

The BJP has also raised questions about whether his Gujarati and Brahmin background has anything to do with the perceived silence. These are political allegations made by the BJP and would require the Gandhi family to respond to them.

Smit Machchhar has received accolades from across the world for his extraordinary courage. US President Donald Trump praised him as a ‘hero’, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also hailed his bravery. Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to him over a video call and praised his courage, presence of mind and determination.

The UAE has now described the Flydubai incident as a ‘dangerous terrorist act’. But neither the Gandhi family nor the INDIA bloc has issued a consolidated statement.

The question is simple: If the Gandhi family can speak out on so many issues, why has there been no personal public message from Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi or Priyanka Gandhi on the courage displayed by an Indian pilot who put his own life at risk to save hundreds of people?

“Would he have reacted if the name of Smit Machchhar was Smit Sayeed, or if he belonged to another religion?” BJP spokespersons have asked. The BJP has raised these political questions, and the AICC would have to address them if it chooses to respond.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge hailed Captain Machchhar’s courage, while party general secretary Jairam Ramesh said that his courage, quick thinking and resolute action would remain an inspiration to all.

But the political question remains: why has there been no similar public reaction from the Gandhi family, particularly Rahul Gandhi, who is the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and one of the country's most active political voices on social media?

Even the INDIA bloc has not made any consolidated statement on the incident. Some leaders may have reacted in their individual capacities, but there has been no collective response from the Opposition bloc.

The Cockroach Janata Party, too, has not, so far, been publicly associated with any reaction to the Flydubai incident.

Meanwhile, the world has recognised the valour and courage of an Indian pilot. Calls for Captain Machchhar to be honoured with a civilian award are growing. His actions have earned praise from leaders in India and abroad, and he has been hailed as a hero for putting his own life at risk to save others.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Gowri V

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A Journey of Three Decades Time passes faster than we realise. What feels like a journey that began only yesterday has today grown into more than three decades of a meaningful and fulfilling life devoted to education, journalism, and the empowerment of young minds. My professional journey began with journalism training in New Delhi in 1979. I went on to work as an independent journalist, drawing on my fluency in both English and Telugu. Over the years, I have edited and worked on Telugu articles in both languages, an experience that strengthened my command of language and sharpened my understanding of society, people, and contemporary issues. Yet, my principal profession and enduring passion have always been teaching. My decision to become a teacher was not merely a career choice—it was a calling. Teaching offered me the rare privilege of inspiring young minds, guiding them through their formative years, and making a lasting difference in their lives. I found immense satisfaction in simplifying complex concepts, nurturing curiosity, encouraging independent thought, and building confidence among students. Every moment in the classroom—every question, every moment of discovery, and every spark of understanding—reminded me why I had chosen this path: to empower young people through knowledge, values, and essential life skills. My teaching career began at the grassroots level as a Montessori teacher and gradually progressed to the position of Vice Principal. I had the opportunity to work in reputed educational institutions, including Dilsukhnagar Public School in Hyderabad, where I shouldered both teaching and administrative responsibilities. Although I have always considered myself, at heart, a teacher, my administrative experience enabled me to understand and contribute to the education system from a much broader perspective. For my students, I have always tried to be an approachable and dependable presence—someone they could turn to not only for academic support, but also for guidance and emotional encouragement. At the same time, I developed a reputation as a firm disciplinarian who believed that integrity, fairness, responsibility, and discipline were fundamental to education. I was also consistently appreciated for maintaining clear communication with parents and staff and for ensuring that examinations and other academic processes were conducted with transparency, fairness, and efficiency. As my career progressed, however, I began to feel that academic education alone was not enough. This realization led me to work more closely with students following the SSC and CBSE curricula, while consciously bringing life-skills education into my teaching. I came to understand that education becomes truly meaningful when it prepares children not merely to pass examinations, but to face life. Teaching emotional resilience, self-reliance, social awareness, communication, decision-making, and other practical life skills often had a deeper and more lasting impact than academic achievement alone. I saw how these skills could help students navigate challenges with greater confidence, maturity, and responsibility. My academic background provided a strong foundation for this approach. My degree in Psychology from the University of Madras helped me develop a deeper understanding of young people's minds, their emotional needs, and the influence of their family and social environments. My M.A. in Telugu with First Class from Osmania University.

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