India's aviation minister, Jyotiraditya Scindia, has come under fire for his remarks regarding the recent Air India Express crash, which left several passengers injured. Critics have labelled his comments as 'insensitive' and 'tone-deaf', particularly given the severity of the incident.
The flight, operated by Air India Express, skidded off the runway during landing in Kerala, causing significant damage to the aircraft. While no fatalities were reported, multiple passengers sustained injuries, some of them serious.
Minister's Controversial Statement
Scindia's response to the incident has drawn widespread condemnation. During a press briefing, he appeared to downplay the crash, stating, 'Such incidents are part of aviation.' His remarks were met with immediate backlash from victims' families and political opponents.
Public and Political Outrage
Opposition leaders have demanded an apology, accusing the minister of trivialising a serious safety lapse. 'This is not just an 'incident'—it's a failure of oversight and accountability,' said one opposition MP.
Aviation experts have also weighed in, stressing that runway excursions, while not uncommon, should never be dismissed as routine. 'Every crash must be thoroughly investigated to prevent future tragedies,' said a senior aviation analyst.
Air India's Troubled Safety Record
This incident adds to growing concerns over Air India's safety protocols, which have faced scrutiny in recent years. The airline, now under private ownership, has been urged to prioritise passenger safety above all else.
An official investigation into the crash is underway, with preliminary reports suggesting poor weather conditions may have contributed to the accident.
