Resorting to violence and high-handed means at the drop of a hat to muzzle people and impose their whims and fancies with scant regard for sentiments and the due process of the law has been the hallmark of bigots. The shocking incident, where Shiv Sena MP Ravindra Gaikwad manhandled an Air India employee on not being allotted a business class seat in an all-economy flight, is an example of this (“Shiv Sena MP beats up AI employee”, March 24). The show of arrogance of power by an elected representative of a responsible political party, without any sense of remorse, makes the incident even more despicable.
Instead of always being in the limelight for the wrong reasons, the Shiv Sena could gain wider political acceptability by championing the cause of the downtrodden. The party needs to understand that the politics of hate and divisiveness is subject to the law of diminishing returns. An evolution of a model code of conduct for all elected representatives must be done on a war footing.
B. Suresh Kumar,
Coimbatore
The incident is sickening and reprehensible. Whatever may be the reason for the provocation, the MP cannot beat up someone and remain defiant. His party should take disciplinary action against him. The privileges that MPs enjoy are limited to their conduct in Parliament; outside its precincts, they are ordinary citizens. Their conduct should be a model for others and this includes being responsible and courteous.
K.R. Jayaprakash Rao,
Mysuru
It was shocking to see an unapologetic Mr. Gaikwad bragging before television channel reporters about his hitting an Air India executive with his sandals repeatedly and justifying it on the most ludicrous grounds. Such abhorrent behaviour by an MP afflicted with hubris deserves universal condemnation. Now that an FIR has been filed, one hopes the case is taken to its logical conclusion by the Delhi police and the MP brought to justice.
The complainant should not be pressurised to withdraw his complaint once the heat and the dust settle down. The Lok Sabha Speaker too should take suo motu note of such obnoxious behaviour and initiate appropriate disciplinary action. Airlines including Air India have rightly banned him from flying as he is a potential danger to the safety of passengers on board. The Civil Aviation Minister must not buckle down under pressure from the Shiv Sena. He must give full operational freedom to Air India to undertake any action deemed necessary for the sake of ensuring safety. There should be stern message from the Prime Minister as well.
S.K. Choudhury,
Bengaluru
The despicable act, a result of Mr. Gaikwad not being given his business class seat on an all-economy flight, must be severely condemed. A lawmaker behaving in an unruly and wayward manner cannot be tolerated. The travel ban being imposed on Mr. Gaikwad by some airlines is a fitting move to discredit and condemn the action of the ‘trigger-happy’ Member of Parliament.
K.V. Raghuram,
Wayanad, Kerala
The attack on the Air India official marks a highly disgraceful episode in Indian politics. In a civilized society, issues that can cause disgruntlement are settled in a congruous and acceptable way, without resorting to violence. The standards of some of our politicians are at an all-time low. The move by some of the domestic airlines seeking a no-fly list which bars aggressive passengers is welcome.
Beorn Kiruba,
Bengaluru
The government must crack the whip and show that it means business. It must send out a message that and uncivilised behaviour by our parliamentarians will not be tolerated. Only when such offenders, howsoever highly-placed they may be, are barred from flying — apart from being prosecuted under the law — can we hope to prevent a recurrence of such incidents.
Kamal Laddha,
Bengaluru
On the one hand you have leaders both abroad and in India who show exemplary courtesy by shaking hands and thanking security when on tour while on the other you have politicians such as Mr. Gaikwad who abuse staff. Why he flew into a rage despite being told that this was an all-economy flight is beyond comprehension. Law-makers need to display exemplary public conduct. Is Mr. Gaikwad even aware of the bad example he is setting for the nation?
Philip Joshua,
Secunderabad
During an election campaign, it is common to see political candidates attempting to reach out to everyone regardless of his or her stature. But once elected, the candidate assumes airs and exhibits haughty behaviour. That Mr. Gaikwad had the audacity to beat up a government official, and even use his slippers in this, is no ordinary incident that can be forgiven in a hurry. Parliament should take note of this and suspend him immediately. He should be arrested and prosecuted. Even if airline staff had committed a mistake, assaulting them is an unacceptable form of behaviour. If the MP is allowed to go scot-free, it does not augur well for democracy.
T. Anand Raj,
Chennai
