AMN
Four private airlines have barred Shiv Sena MP Ravindra Gaikwad from flying by carriers for assaulting Air India officer.The Federation of Indian Airlines, which has Jet Airways, IndiGo, SpiceJet and GoAir as its members has decided to blacklist Gaikwad who admitted to his unruly behaviour with Air Indian staffer on Thursday.
The incident took place on Thursday morning inside Air India’s Pune- Delhi flight AI 852, when the aircraft landed in Delhi. Gaikwad refused to disembark despite attempts of persuading him to do so. An Air India official also tried to pacify the MP, who vociferously complained about the morning flight to Delhi from Pune, not having business class. Meanwhile, taking serious note of Gaikwad’s behavior Shiv Sena has asked him to give an explanation over the issue. Shivsena President Uddhav Thackeray also sought AIR INDIA’s version over the incident.
Speaking to media in Mumbai yesterday, Shiv Sena Spokesperson Manisha Kayande stated that the party is does not subscribe to any such reaction by any of the party members. Stating that Mr Gaikwad is a very popular figure in his constituency, Ms. Manisha Kayande however said it is necessary to know what made Mr. Gaikwad lose his temper.
Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju today said the MPs are not above the law and they have to follow the law of the land. Reacting to Shiv Sena MP Ravindra Gaikwad’s alleged thrashing of an Air India employee, Mr. Gajapathi Raju said action will be taken in the matter. He said it was an unfortunate incident and it should not have happened.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar said that MPs represent people and therefore they should behave properly in public. Meanwhile, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan said the incident occurred outside Parliament and she will take action only when there is a complaint in this regard.