Make the erring Shiv Sena MP accountable
The dramatic scenes witnessed on an Air India flight recently, where Ravindra Gaikwad, a Shiv Sena MP, hit a state-run carrier's employee 25 times with his footwear for the latter not having allotted him a business class seat, must be condemned in the strongest possible manner regardless of the MP’s safe-sided argument that the carrier personnel had misbehaved with him. Such unruly conduct is uncalled for from a public representative who, though a first time MP, had been twice elected to the Maharashtra Assembly before being elected for the lok Sabha in 2014. And this is not his first run-in with the law. Gaikwad is also known to have had several criminal cases against him. The Shiv Sena MP’s ire was caused because he had paid for a business class ticket but was not given one. His argument itself is funny because his choice of the aircraft in which he was travelling, had only economy class configuration. Gaikwad had an open executive class ticket which entitled him to take a flight of his choice on any date. The problem, therefore, lay with the selection of flight, which was given to him on his insistence. Moreover, the airline had conveyed to the politician's office about the change in fleet in advance. Still, to ensure that the MP received VIP treatment, he was seated in the front row. And this is how the belligerent MP paid back! This incident does not come as a surprise because a few politicians in our country are known to misuse their entitled powers. Admittedly, similar unruly behaviour has been reported by non-politican flyers too in recent times by various airlines, and so it may sound unfair to single out the politician. last month itself, AirAsia had filed a complaint against two drunk fliers for creating nuisance onboard one of its flight. But even a single case like that of the Shiv Sena MP damages the image of our political class. Arguably, there may be some politicians who demand benefits out of ignorance. Assuming that Gaikwad did so, and also because he lost his temper, he should have later seen reason. But this does not seem to be the case because the Shiva Sena MP was not apologetic about his violent behaviour on board the flight. Instead, he warned that he would similarly respond in the future if anybody ‘misbehaved’ with him.
However, it’s not the case that all our politicians hold the same temperament. There are many leaders who are aware of the perks they are entitled to, but do not use them even. Sadly, those incidents do not get reported. The national carrier, on its part has for the first time blacklisted someone, that too an MP, from the flying list. This has been followed up by a few other airlines who too have ‘black-listed’ the Shiv Sena MP. The decision will indeed boost the morale of the airline staffers and also ensure public safety. However, to deter more incidents of the kind, strong legal action must be taken. Already, a police complaint has been filed. Second, the matter should be taken up by Parliament’s ethics committee and and apporpriate action taken. Third, while the Shiv Sena has condemned the incident and has also ordered a probe, it must not take matters lightly, and must act against him. Failure to do so will earn the party a bad name. It cannot wish away the across-the-board demand for action.