ABVP seeks Ashoka Chakra for Captain Smit Machchhar over mid-air crisis

The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) has called on the Indian government to honour Captain Smit Machchhar with the Ashoka Chakra, describing his actions during a serious mid-air incident as an example of exceptional courage and self-sacrifice.

The demand was made after the ABVP’s All-India Office Bearers Meeting in Itanagar on Saturday. The organisation said Machchhar should be considered for India’s highest peacetime gallantry award for his role in averting what it described as a potentially catastrophic aviation incident.

Captain Smit Machchhar, a 39-year-old Indian commercial pilot, was commanding flydubai Flight FZ1073, which was operating from Dubai to Tel Aviv. According to the report, the aircraft’s co-pilot allegedly attacked Machchhar during the flight in an apparent attempt to take control of the aircraft.

The incident created a dangerous situation inside the cockpit. During the struggle, the Boeing 737 MAX reportedly descended by nearly 14,000 feet in less than 30 seconds, adding to the seriousness of the situation.

Despite suffering injuries, Machchhar continued to resist the alleged attack. He eventually managed to unlock the cockpit door, allowing passengers and members of the cabin crew to enter the cockpit and help overpower the attacker.

The incident has since drawn attention to the role played by the pilot and the passengers and crew members who intervened during the emergency. The ABVP said Machchhar’s actions demonstrated exceptional courage under circumstances that posed a serious risk to everyone on board.

The Ashoka Chakra is India’s highest peacetime military decoration and is awarded for exceptional bravery or self-sacrifice away from the battlefield. The award is intended to recognise acts of extraordinary courage performed in situations where military personnel or civilians face grave danger.

The ABVP’s demand comes amid wider discussion about Machchhar’s actions during the flight. The organisation has asked the government to formally recognise his contribution and consider him for the prestigious award.

The incident also highlights the importance of cockpit security and emergency response procedures in commercial aviation. A serious confrontation inside an aircraft cockpit can place both the crew and passengers at significant risk, particularly when the aircraft is in flight.

According to the details cited in the report, Machchhar’s ability to regain access to the cockpit door and allow other passengers and crew members to intervene played an important role in bringing the situation under control.

The ABVP said its appeal was intended to recognise what it described as Machchhar’s exemplary courage. The organisation has urged the government to examine the circumstances of the incident and consider the pilot for the Ashoka Chakra.

Any decision on the award, however, would rest with the appropriate authorities after examining the incident and the applicable criteria for the honour.

The case has also renewed attention on the responsibilities of pilots during extreme in-flight emergencies. Commercial pilots are trained to handle a wide range of emergencies, but a physical confrontation inside the cockpit presents an unusual and particularly dangerous challenge.

The events surrounding Flight FZ1073 are expected to remain under examination as authorities assess what happened during the flight and the circumstances surrounding the alleged attack.

For now, the ABVP’s request represents a call for official recognition of Captain Smit Machchhar’s actions. The organisation has described his response during the crisis as an act of exceptional bravery and has asked that the government consider him for the Ashoka Chakra.