New Delhi: Indian pilot Smit Machar has drawn wide attention after an in-flight incident in which he was stabbed by a co-pilot, yet acted to help save the lives of 174 passengers by opening the cockpit door, according to reports.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Machar, who is undergoing treatment at a hospital in Abu Dhabi. A video of the interaction has been widely viewed, with the Prime Minister praising him as someone who upheld India’s pride. Modi also spoke with Machar’s parents, who live in Mumbai.
The report said the Prime Minister decided to speak to Machar soon after learning of the incident, and that officials from the Prime Minister’s Office travelled to Abu Dhabi. Machar is said to have described what happened on the aircraft during the conversation. There is also speculation that he may be shifted to AIIMS in Delhi once his condition stabilises, and that he could be considered for a top national honour.
Machar told the Prime Minister that he kept chanting the Hanuman mantra during the attack, the report added. The mantra is widely popular in northern states.
The episode has also taken a political turn, with the BJP criticising Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi for not commenting initially on Machar’s act. After the BJP’s criticism, the Congress side reportedly issued a statement praising him. BJP leaders are said to be preparing to raise the issue politically ahead of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly election scheduled for February next year.
