Deora urges Modi to consider Mumbai-born flydubai captain for Ashoka Chakra
Shiv Sena MP Milind Deora has written to Narendra Modi urging that flydubai Captain Smit Machchhar be considered for the Ashoka Chakra after the alleged FZ1073 cockpit assault.
Rajya Sabha MP Milind Deora has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to consider Mumbai-born flydubai Captain Smit Machchhar for the Ashoka Chakra, India’s highest peacetime gallantry award, over his actions during an alleged cockpit assault on Flight FZ1073. NDTV Profit
In an October 2 letter shared on X, the Shiv Sena MP — writing for Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and the Shiv Sena — called Machchhar’s conduct an “extraordinary display of courage and selflessness”. Free Press Journal
The letter claims his “extraordinary courage and presence of mind” helped save all 174 lives on board — Deora’s claim. Seriously wounded after his co-pilot allegedly tried to seize control of the Dubai–Tel Aviv flight, he still opened the cockpit door, letting passengers and crew intervene; it diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, landing safely. Deora said the actions went “far beyond the responsibilities of his profession”. Free Press Journal NDTV Profit
He noted the Ashoka Chakra — for “most conspicuous bravery” other than in the face of the enemy — can go to civilians, and said the honour would show courage “is not confined to the battlefield”. Modi spoke to Machchhar on October 2, praising his courage and presence of mind; the captain has over 13 years of commercial flying experience, including a spell at SpiceJet before joining flydubai in 2022, with about 9,750 hours on Boeing 737s. Free Press Journal NDTV Profit
It follows Machchhar’s airlift to Abu Dhabi on Thursday and Gujarat’s award announcement.
Sources
More on this topic: all World stories
