Shiv Sena Member of Parliament Ravindra Gaikwad’s journey by flight to Pune promises to be a turbulence-ridden affair. Air India, the state-owned airline Gaikwad was scheduled to fly with from Delhi, has cancelled his booking. Not only Air India, low-cost carrier Indigo too has refused the lawmaker a ticket. But trouble for the MP from Maharashtra’s Osmanabad doesn’t seem to end here. Waiting for him at IGI’s Terminal 3 are a dozen protesters from the Aam Aadmi Sena.
On Friday, Gaikwad defended himself saying Shiv Kumar, the Air India staffer he hit with slippers, should apologise first as the latter was at fault. He also dared the Delhi Police to arrest him, claiming that he had the backing of the Shiv Sena chief.
Two FIRs have been lodged against Shiv Sena MP Ravindra Gaikwad by Air India for assaulting their 60-year-old Duty Manager Shiv Kumar.
“He misbehaved with me, he even broke my glasses. I never expected this could happen... God save our country if this is the culture and behaviour of our MPs,” Shiv Kumar told Times of India.
Other Indian Air Carriers Back Air India
"We will support a no-fly list," IndiGo President and Whole Time Director Aditya Ghosh told PTI.
At present, there is no such mechanism available with the Indian airlines.
"Air India is examining creation of a no-fly list of unruly passengers on the lines of other carriers," a senior airline official had said post the assault, which had invited sharp reactions from various quarters.
Aviation Minister Jayanta Sinha has also condemned the MP’s unruly behaviour.
Video Editor: Mohd Irshad Alam
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