RSS chief Bhagwat lauds pilot Smit Machchhar as symbol of Hindu society's values

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Tuesday held up Captain Smit Machchhar as an example of the values of an organised and strong Hindu society, saying those values moved the Mumbai-born pilot to risk his own life to protect others. Bhagwat was addressing the annual Vijayadashami event in Nagpur, described as the RSS Centenary Vijayadashami Utsav, with Israel's Consul General in Mumbai, Yaniv Revach, in attendance.

Machchhar, who hails from Ghatkopar in Mumbai and is now based in the Gulf, was at the controls of flydubai flight FZ1073 travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv on September 30. The outlet reported that he saved 174 passengers, including 27 children, during what it called a "9/11-type attempt" by his Omani co-pilot. The co-pilot was allegedly attempting to crash the aircraft and was later taken into custody.

Bhagwat, said the RSS is working to awaken "this very Hindu spirit" and build the entire society into a well-organised and strong whole, and that this was "not contrary to the spirit of respecting all faiths" or to the nation's emotional unity. Bhagwat was quoted saying that because the Hindu society's worldview and nature are inclusive, such efforts would only strengthen "emotional unity, goodwill, and good conduct", and that "this very nature and these values, passed down from generation to generation", inspires the pilot to put his life in danger.

Machchhar has said he recites the Hanuman Chalisa whenever he is in difficulty, and that he was chanting it during the cockpit attack. "Whenever I feel pain, I just chant Hanuman Chalisa... I know that God is with me," NDTV quoted him as saying. The outlet said that despite stab wounds he fought off the co-pilot, having first thought something had broken off the aircraft roof and struck his head before realising he was under attack.

Revach, said the pilot "grew up here in India and according to the values and morals here in India", which was one reason he saved so many people. The Israeli diplomat also spoke of strengthening ties "not only at the government level but also people-to-people", and reportedly backed Bhagwat's remarks about external forces trying to destabilise values in Europe, India and Israel.

Earlier this month Israeli President Isaac Herzog invited Machchhar to Jerusalem to receive the Presidential Award for Civilian Heroism. The Indian Express, in its headline, described what Machchhar did as "Hindu" consciousness.

(With inputs from Media Agencies)