New Delhi: Air Vistara came under heavy fire from both sides of the social media political divide Sunday. Having posted a picture of its staff with the controversial Major General (retired) G.D. Bakshi on Twitter, saying it was “honoured” to host him, the airline faced the ire of the armyman’s critics. Later, when it deleted the tweet under pressure, many criticised the airline for the action.
There was one thing both sides had in common—they said they would boycott the airline in the future.
Bakshi’s controversies
The photo invited widespread ire as Bakshi, a defence analyst and author after retiring from the Army, has become infamous for his aggressive comments regarding the country’s security matters, which he delivers with a heightened pitch on television debates.
He has also made many statements against the country’s minorities, and his words make him a favourite of Right-wing social media handles and individuals. Most recently, he was in the spotlight for using a slang word for ‘brothel’ in a speech.
Also read: Military & moustaches: The world of GD Bakshi, face of Indian media’s shrill war cries
Bakshi, in fact, had also come under scathing attack for his vilification of Mahatma Gandhi at an event in 2016. He had questioned the Mahatma’s credibility, saying: “You tell me what contribution did Mahatama Gandhi and Congress party make towards India’s freedom struggle? They say they faced lathi-charge (by English rulers), but even my buffalo gets thrashed by canes!”
As the audience laughed, an agitated Bakshi continued: “If you have faced lathi-charge, then what will happen to bravehearts such as (Veer) Savarkar?”
He questioned the Mahatma’s credibility again in another public speech.
The tweet and the backlash
Vistara’s Twitter handle @airvistara posted the picture of Bakshi sitting in business class with two air hostesses posing behind him.
“Honored to have Major General GD Bakshi (Retd.), a decorated Kargil war hero, onboard our flight today. Thank you Sir, for your service to the nation,” it read.
Soon, though, the backlash began.
Guwahati-based lawyer Aman Wadud said: “Keep your honour with you. Not flying @airvistara next time!”
Keep your honour with you. Not flying @airvistara next time! https://t.co/o3Hwyjktyw
— Aman Wadud (@AmanWadud) April 21, 2019
Rifat Jawaid, journalist and founder of the news portal Janta Ka Reporter, added: “I quite liked @airvistara but their love for this bigot shows that either they are ignorant or the airline condones Bakshi’s anti-Muslim stance. Will they honour Sadhvi Pragya next? No more flying with Vistara,” tweeted Rifat Jawaid, journalist and founder of news portal ‘Janta Ka Reporter’.
I quite liked @airvistara but their love for this bigot shows that either they are ignorant or the airline condones Bakshi’s anti-Muslim stance. Will they honour Sadhvi Pragya next? No more flying with Vistara. @JantaKaReporter https://t.co/pLKNO9eNXl
— Rifat Jawaid (@RifatJawaid) April 21, 2019
Another journalist, Samar Halarnkar, said it was a “disappointment” and that he would not fly Vistara anymore.
Such a disappointment @airvistara. I always fly when I can, won't do that again. So long https://t.co/A6Uc1NxhhN
— Samar Halarnkar (@samar11) April 21, 2019
What happened once the tweet was deleted?
Under pressure from a massive number of users, Vistara deleted the tweet. However, this brought widespread condemnation from Right-wing handles and proponents of freedom of expression.
BJP Delhi spokesperson Tajinder Pal Singh Bagga tweeted: “.@airvistara deleted Honourable @adgpi Officer General GD Bakshi Pic after Anti Army Gang Pressure. I will never travel on Air Vistara till thn they tweet Pic again & apologies , RT if you will #BoycottVistara.”
. @airvistara deleted Honourable @adgpi Officer General GD Bakshi Pic after Anti Army Gang Pressure. I will never travel on Air Vistara till thn they tweet Pic again & apologies , RT if you will #BoycottVistara pic.twitter.com/rbyAvgEIDn
— Chowkidar Tajinder Pal Singh Bagga (@TajinderBagga) April 21, 2019
Anuraag Saxena, who is a volunteer with the India Pride Project, tweeted: “Ok so, self-proclaimed ‘#liberals’ and FoE ‘activists’ have a problem with @airvistara FoE.
RT if u r proud that #Vistara showed their pride in a war veteran.”
Ok so, self-proclaimed "#liberals" and FoE "activists" have a problem with @airvistara FoE.
RT if u r proud that #Vistara showed their pride in a war veteran. pic.twitter.com/rceuY24YCz
— Anuraag Saxena (@anuraag_saxena) April 21, 2019
Vistara, which started operations in 2015, is a joint venture between Tata Sons (51 per cent ownership) and Singapore Airlines (49 per cent).
I dun find our respected Gen. G.D bakshi controversial ..rather he is the pride of India.
I dint read ur entire article and nobody ll…coz whoever writen that must b a psycho.
Do all personalities of past, present and future should have a right to their views… be it Mahatma Gandhi, Vivekanand, Subhash Chadra Bose, Keshav Baliram Hedgewar, Jawaharlal Nehru, Karl Marx, Mao Zedong, Mohan Bhagwat, Narendra Modi, Rahul Gandhi or anyone else for that matter? Do all common citizens also have a right to their opinion and freedom of expression? Does any citizen of India have a right to disagree and have difference of opinion with great leaders or common citizens? Should we bully, intimidate, use force if others disagree with us or have a different opinion of view? If any other person bullies, intimidates, tries to force his/her opinion should I also take the same path? If there is difference between my words and deeds then people can see the hypocrisy, it doesn’t matter which ism I am tagged with. If I give respect I will earn respect. If I give others their freedom of expression I will earn mine. If I am liberal, plural and progressive then should I say my point of view is the best one and what I think is only right, who disagree are wrong and bigots?
Why ex-armyman GD Bakshi is controversial? Who says so? These people can not withstand onslaught of truth. He talks well and always relies on facts but unfortunately for Congress and leftists, all facts go against them.
Gen Bekshi is a boastful and habitual liar. He distorts the history acceoding to his wishes.
Gen Bakshi is a boastful habitual liar. He distorts the history according to his wishes.
If they (cattle class) don’t like the action of vistara then cattle class is free to travel in air India……
Kudos to Gen. Bakshi for his unrelenting service to the nation.!
Hatred for armyman among Muslims and seculars is nothing new
a) In JNU they bashed two army officers when they objected to raising of pro pakistan slogan.
b) Nidhi sethi of NDTV tweeted how is jaish after 42 CRPF men were martyred in pulwama.
c) lot of facebook users among Muslims had smilees after pulawama attack.
this is truth and we cannot pretend that this does not exist.
I love Vistara .I am a frequent flyer with the airlines.I feel very offended with the treatment given to this abnormal retired army officer.He is disgusting.
Bakshi is a shame to the army.
You know what gandhi was the biggest biggot. Time has come to expose congress and its chamchas like The print.