Mahua Moitra Alleges Harassment on IndiGo Flight Amidst Political Turmoil

Key facts

• Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra was on IndiGo flight 6E 719 from Kolkata to Delhi.
• Moitra alleges a group of 4-6 men chanted slogans like “chor chor, TMC chor” and “Jai Shri Ram”.
• The men allegedly filmed Moitra without her consent inside the aircraft.
• Moitra was travelling to attend a Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence meeting.
• The incident occurred shortly after the BJP's victory over TMC in the West Bengal Assembly polls.
• Moitra has urged IndiGo to identify the individuals and place them on a no-fly list.
• She also tagged the Union Civil Aviation Minister, Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, seeking action.

Flight Incident Sparks Security Debate

Trinamool Congress Member of Parliament Mahua Moitra has ignited a significant debate on aviation security following an alleged incident of harassment aboard an IndiGo flight. Moitra, who was en route to Delhi from Kolkata for official duties, reported being subjected to leering and offensive slogans by a group of men on Thursday. The Krishnanagar MP detailed her experience on social media, identifying the flight as IndiGo 6E 719. She stated that a group of four to six men boarded the aircraft and directed their attention towards her before moving to the rear of the plane. The situation reportedly escalated after the flight landed. Moitra claims that before the cabin doors were opened, the individuals filmed her without her permission, chanting slogans that targeted her party and its leadership.

Chants Target Party Leadership

The slogans reportedly included “chor chor, TMC chor, pishi chor, bhaipo chor,” which translates to “thieves, thieves, TMC is a thief, aunt is a thief, nephew is a thief.” These chants were aimed at TMC chief Mamata Banerjee and her nephew Abhishek Banerjee, prominent figures within the party. Moitra characterized the episode not as spontaneous public anger, but as deliberate harassment that compromised her safety within the aircraft. She asserted that such behaviour by individuals on a flight should not be tolerated and that those responsible should face consequences. She further emphasized that the incident violated her personal safety during air travel and called for decisive action against the passengers involved.

Call for Action and No-Fly List

In response to the alleged harassment, Moitra has formally requested IndiGo to investigate the incident thoroughly. She urged the airline to review the crew's report, identify the individuals involved in the chanting and filming, and subsequently place them on a no-fly list. Moitra also directly appealed to Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, tagging him on social media to draw his attention to the matter and seek official intervention. The MP stressed the need for punitive measures to deter such unruly passenger conduct. While IndiGo has not yet issued a public statement detailing the specific passengers, the airline typically follows a process of internal investigation before recommending names to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for inclusion on the no-fly list. The incident revives concerns about passenger behaviour on Indian domestic carriers.

Political Backdrop of the Incident

The alleged harassment occurred in the immediate aftermath of the West Bengal Assembly elections. The results saw the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ending the Trinamool Congress's 15-year rule, securing 207 out of 294 seats. The TMC secured a significantly lower tally of 80 seats, finishing second. Despite the electoral outcome, TMC chief Mamata Banerjee has not resigned as Chief Minister and is reportedly considering challenging the election results, potentially through a Supreme Court appeal. Moitra's post on social media platform X, detailing the flight incident, was widely shared. She also tagged several senior leaders of the INDIA bloc, including Mamata Banerjee, Akhilesh Yadav, Rahul Gandhi, and MK Stalin, framing the event within a broader context of safety concerns for women in public life.

Unruly Passenger Behavior on the Rise

This incident brings renewed attention to the persistent issue of unruly passenger behaviour on Indian domestic flights. Over the past year, various Indian carriers have grappled with instances of passengers flouting rules, engaging in disruptive conduct, and sometimes becoming aggressive towards crew members or fellow passengers. Airlines and aviation authorities have been working to establish and enforce stricter protocols to manage such situations. The no-fly list, intended as a deterrent, has been utilized in cases deemed severe enough to warrant a ban on future air travel. The demand for action against the individuals on the IndiGo flight underscores the ongoing challenge of maintaining order and ensuring the safety and dignity of all passengers, particularly public figures, in the confined environment of an aircraft.

The bottom line

• being harassed by passengers chanting anti-TMC slogans and filming her on an IndiGo flight.
• The incident occurred on flight 6E 719 from Kolkata to Delhi, shortly after the BJP's electoral victory in West Bengal.
• Moitra described the event as harassment that compromised her safety and called for the individuals to be placed on a no-fly list.
• She has urged IndiGo and the Union Civil Aviation Minister to take action against those involved.
• The episode highlights ongoing concerns regarding unruly passenger behaviour on Indian domestic airlines.
• The incident took place while Moitra was travelling to attend a meeting of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence.