Archive · 9 Oct 2026
Protests Challenge BJP as Questions Persist Over Cockpit Attack
Shobhaa De writes about protests in Mumbai and Delhi, and about a reported attack on an airplane.
She says people in Mumbai marched because they were worried about their rights.
She says police in Delhi treated some protesters roughly, and criticizes the government’s response.
She believes the protests could change how people feel about the ruling party.
The column also describes a Flydubai flight where the captain was reportedly attacked by the co-pilot.
De says the plane dropped quickly but was brought under control and landed safely.
She wonders why some details about the attacker were not shared at first.
She also asks questions about the attacker’s motive and how airlines keep flights safe.
Some of these questions are speculation, not established answers in the article.
Shobhaa De describes large protests in Mumbai over concerns about fundamental rights and public safety.
She contrasts Mumbai’s demonstrations with Delhi protests, where opposition leaders were detained or manhandled by police, according to her account.
De argues that the protests are gaining public sympathy and criticizes the BJP’s response, while presenting the claim that election-rigging accusations threaten a politician called “Gyanu.”
The column also recounts an alleged attack by Flydubai co-pilot Hamam Al-Hamami on Captain Smit Machchhar during flight FZ1073; De says the plane descended sharply before being brought level and landed safely.
De questions why the attacker’s identity and other details were omitted from a televised interview, and raises unconfirmed possibilities about motive and aviation security.
- Who
- Mumbai and Delhi protesters, opposition politicians, and the BJP; the column also discusses Captain Smit Machchhar and co-pilot Hamam Al-Hamami.
- What
- The article comments on protests over rights and political accountability, and raises questions about a reported attack aboard Flydubai flight FZ1073.
- When
- The article gives no specific dates for the protests or flight incident.
- Where
- Mumbai and Delhi; the flight incident involved Flydubai flight FZ1073.
- Why
- The protests are described as responses to concerns about fundamental rights and political accountability; the co-pilot’s motive is not established in the article.
Protesters and opposition
Government and official accounts
Meaning of the protests
Protesters and opposition
De portrays the demonstrations as citizens exercising their rights and expressing anger about political accountability.
Government and official accounts
The article says cynics may view the Delhi demonstrations as a choreographed political performance; it does not provide a detailed government response.
Police response
Protesters and opposition
De says footage of police roughly handling protesters undermines public trust and creates sympathy for the demonstrators.
Government and official accounts
The article does not include a response from Delhi Police or government officials to this criticism.
Cockpit attack details
Protesters and opposition
De questions why the attacker’s identity and religious description were not included in the televised interview, and wonders whether the event involved a hijack attempt or terrorism.
Government and official accounts
The article does not provide an official explanation for the interview’s omissions or establish the attacker’s motive; De notes that Oman had not issued a formal statement at the time of writing.
- Author
- Shobhaa De
- Protest locations
- Mumbai and Delhi
- Mumbai gathering
- Shivaji Park
- Flight
- Flydubai flight FZ1073
- Captain named in column
- Smit Machchhar
- Co-pilot named in column
- Hamam Al-Hamami, described as Omani
- Descent described
- The article cites an aviation instructor’s account of a 16,000-foot descent in 30 seconds before the aircraft levelled out.