Archive · 3 Oct 2026
Kishan Reddy Questions Gandhi Leaders’ Silence on Pilot’s Heroism
Union minister G. Kishan Reddy criticized Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra for not personally praising pilot Smit Machchhar.
Reports say Machchhar fought off an attack by his co-pilot during a FlyDubai flight.
They say his actions helped save the people aboard, though the reports give different totals.
Reddy said the Gandhi family had not publicly recognized the pilot’s bravery.
One report says three days had passed, while others say a full day.
Several leaders, including Narendra Modi, Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu, praised Machchhar.
The longer report also says Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and Jairam Ramesh praised him.
The BJP raised political questions about the Gandhi family’s silence, but the reports include no personal response from them.
Union minister G. Kishan Reddy criticized Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra for not personally praising Capt. Smit Machchhar.
Reports say Machchhar fought his co-pilot’s attack aboard a FlyDubai flight and helped save passengers and crew; accounts give totals of more than 170 people or 174 passengers and eight crew.
Reddy said a full day had passed without a public message from the Gandhi family; another report said three days had passed.
Narendra Modi, Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu were cited as praising Machchhar; the longer report also says Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and general secretary Jairam Ramesh praised him.
The BJP questioned the Gandhi family’s silence, while the longer report says it was political allegation and notes Congress leaders’ praise; it reports no personal message from the Gandhi family.
- Who
- G. Kishan Reddy criticized Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra over their lack of personal public praise for Capt. Smit Machchhar.
- What
- Reddy questioned the Gandhi family’s silence after reports that Machchhar fought off his co-pilot’s attack and helped save people aboard a FlyDubai flight.
- When
- Reddy made his comments on Friday; reports differ on whether one or three days had passed since the incident.
- Where
- Reddy’s comments were reported from Hyderabad; the incident was on a Dubai–Tel Aviv flight.
- Why
- Reddy said the Gandhi family had not acknowledged Machchhar’s bravery, which he said had been praised by leaders around the world.
Criticism of the Gandhi family
Reported context and responses
Gandhi family’s lack of personal public praise
Criticism of the Gandhi family
Reddy and BJP figures questioned why Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra had not personally praised Machchhar.
Reported context and responses
The longer report says Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and general secretary Jairam Ramesh praised Machchhar, but reports no personal message from the Gandhi family.
Political explanation for the silence
Criticism of the Gandhi family
The BJP raised questions about whether political or personal factors influenced the lack of a personal message, including allegations related to Machchhar’s religion and background.
Reported context and responses
The article presents these as BJP allegations and says the Gandhi family would need to respond; it does not establish a reason for the absence of a personal message.
- Speaker
- G. Kishan Reddy, Union minister
- Pilot
- Capt. Smit Machchhar
- Airline and route
- FlyDubai; Dubai–Tel Aviv
- Reported incident
- Machchhar reportedly fought off his co-pilot’s attack in the cockpit.
- People aboard reportedly saved
- Accounts say more than 170 people; one report specifies 174 passengers and eight crew members.
- Gandhi family members named
- Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra
- Leaders cited as praising Machchhar
- Narendra Modi, Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu; the longer report also names Mallikarjun Kharge and Jairam Ramesh.
- Timing discrepancy
- Reports describe a full day or three days having passed without a personal public message from the Gandhi family.
Sources
Flydubai Pilot: Why the Silence from the Gandhi Family and INDIA Bloc?
‘Why This Silence?’, Kishan Reddy Questions Gandhis Over Capt Smit Machchhar’s Bravery
Why silent on Flydubai pilot’s heroics? Kishan Reddy to Gandhi family
