New Delhi, Oct 5 (PTI) The BJP on Monday attacked Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his alleged silence on Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar, who was attacked by his Omani co-pilot with a crash axe on board a Dubai-Tel Aviv flydubai flight, and also invoked the 2008 Batla House encounter to question its stance against terrorism.
Addressing a press conference here, BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra said that one should not expect those who supported terrorist Yakub Memon and shed tears for terrorists killed in the Batla House encounter to publicly appreciate acts of anti-terrorism.
“Rahul Gandhi may not be able to do anything for Captain Smit’s well-being; he may not want to be seen standing with him or may not have tweeted or posted on social media in his support yet, as you can see. That is his personal matter.
“Those who stand for Yakub Memon, those who shed tears for the terrorists killed at the Batla House – how can they tweet for the good of India?
“I am not making any allegation, but I am doing some loud thinking – those who stand with terrorists perhaps have a trembling hand when it comes to standing with anti-terrorist activities,” Patra said.
The BJP leader was responding to a question on Gandhi not tweeting or posting anything on social media in support of Captain Smit, who was injured after being attacked by his Omani co-pilot, Hamam al-Hammami, in the cockpit of flydubai flight FZ1073 on Wednesday.
The aircraft was later diverted to Tabuk in Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely. According to media reports, Hammami attacked Smit in a bid to take control of the flight, which was thwarted as the Indian pilot managed to open the cockpit door from inside before passengers and crew overpowered the attacker.
Patra also criticised Congress leader Imran Masood for his alleged remarks questioning the significance of Smit’s actions.
“I am quite surprised. I have not heard what Imran Masood said, but you are telling me that he said, ‘What is the big deal in this?’ This is indeed a very big deal,” Patra said.
Praising Smit, Patra said his decision to save around 180 people without worrying about his own life reflected India’s “fundamental ethos”.
“The way he saved 180 people, the way he cared for others without worrying about his own life, defines India’s fundamental ethos. His actions have been praised internationally, and India is proud of him,” Patra said.
“From America to Israel and several other countries, everyone is talking about India. We are proud of Captain Smit. We are proud of this country. Why wouldn’t we be?” he asked.
Noting that this was not a matter of politics, Patra said, “This is about the fragrance of the soil of our country. What Captain Smit did was an act of humanity, and that is the spirit of India.”
The Batla House encounter was an armed police operation carried out on September 19, 2008, against suspected Indian Mujahideen terrorists hiding in Delhi’s Jamia Nagar, in which Delhi Police Inspector Mohan Chand Sharma and two suspected terrorists were killed. PTI KSH ARI
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