Lagatar24 Desk
Ranchi: Leader of Opposition Babulal Marandi has questioned Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his silence on the courage of Captain Smit, who helped foil an attack on a flydubai flight, saying the pilot risked his own life to save 174 people and made the country proud.
Marandi Asks If Pilot’s Faith Is the Reason for Silence
Marandi said Captain Smit’s courage is being praised across the country and the world, yet Rahul Gandhi has not said a single word about him. He asked whether the reason was that Captain Smit is a Hindu. He accused Gandhi of discrimination against Hindus and asked how he would have reacted had the hero of the incident belonged to another community. He added that anyone’s bravery should not be judged by their caste or religion.
Comparison with Tukaram Omble of 26/11
Marandi also recalled the bravery of policeman Tukaram Omble during the 2008 Mumbai terror attack, saying that just as Omble gave his life confronting the terrorists, Captain Smit showed courage in a time of crisis and saved many lives. He said that during the attack, Captain Smit kept his morale up by reciting the Hanuman Chalisa.
“Appeasement Politics Cannot Win Public Trust”
Marandi said that to win the trust of the country’s people, it is essential to respect every citizen, religion and community, and that appeasement politics cannot earn the nation’s confidence.
