Nagpur: Speaking at the annual Rashtriya Swayamसेवक Sangh (RSS) Vijaya Dashami celebrations on Tuesday, RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat commended the extraordinary bravery of Indian pilot Captain Smit Machhar. Addressing the volunteers in Maharashtra, Bhagwat attributed the pilot’s heroic actions during a recent flight emergency to deep-rooted Hindu values and an inclusive societal temperament.
Captain Smit Machhar recently gained international acclaim when he thwarted a potential aviation disaster on a Dubai-Tel Aviv Flydubai flight. Despite sustaining knife wounds, the pilot originally from Ghatkopar, Mumbai, fought off his co-pilot, who was allegedly attempting to crash the Boeing 737 carrying 174 passengers.
Praising this selfless act, Bhagwat stated, “Since the vision and nature of Hindu society is inclusive, we must understand that such efforts will further strengthen emotional unity, harmony, and good conduct among us all. It is this temperament and these values, passed down from generation to generation, that inspired Captain Smit Machhar to risk his own life to save the lives of others.”
The RSS Chief used the occasion to emphasize the intrinsic nature of national unity among Indians, describing it as an unconditional bond rooted in the heart. “The unity among us Indians is natural and unconditional. The bond we share with each other and our relationship with India is a living bond. Its roots are in our hearts, hence it is unconditional,” Bhagwat remarked.
Drawing parallels to India’s freedom struggle, Bhagwat noted that freedom fighters exhibited the same spirit of absolute and unconditional dedication to the nation, which ultimately compelled the British to leave India. He emphasized that relationships based on affection, affinity, and a sense of belonging are never bound by conditions.
According to Bhagwat, the RSS continues to work toward awakening this core “Hindu spirit” to foster a well-organized and resilient society. Meanwhile, Captain Machhar, whose courageous resistance inside the cockpit turned him into a global hero overnight, is currently undergoing medical treatment in Abu Dhabi.