PM Modi Commends Pilot; Protests Erupt Over Election Commissioner

Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently spoke with Captain Smit Machhar, the Indian pilot of a Flydubai Boeing 737 MAX 8, who averted a mid-air crisis. The flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv experienced a severe incident at 34,000 feet when Captain Machhar was attacked by his Omani co-pilot. The aircraft rapidly plunged over 1,400 feet within 30 seconds. Despite serious wounds, Captain Machhar managed to unlock the cockpit door, allowing crew and passengers to intervene and secure the aircraft.

Speaking from the hospital, Captain Machhar recounted his 17 years of flying experience alerted him to the descent while injured. He shared reciting the Hanuman Chalisa for strength. Prime Minister Modi commended his quick decision-making and composure, noting his prioritization of passenger safety over his own life during the emergency.

Concurrently, mass demonstrations occurred on October 2 in the national capital, with the INDIA bloc, student outfits, and civil society groups demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over electoral roll revisions. Delhi Police detained over 1,100 demonstrators, including senior Left leaders MA Baby and Brinda Karat, after Section 163 was imposed at Jantar Mantar. Opposition parties, including Congress, AAP, Left, and RJD, accused the Election Commission of removing eligible voters.

In Mumbai, the Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP) also organised a protest at Shivaji Park on Gandhi Jayanti, drawing youth and figures like Vishal Dadlani and Abhijeet Dipke. They pressed three demands: CEC Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation, freezing the 2025 electoral list, and transparency in future election chief appointments. Large crowds gathered despite no formal police permission, with security present.

What to watch: Further agitations are planned across six cities, leading to an indefinite demonstration in New Delhi by late October.

Editor's note: review unavailable