While left-wing activists, political commentators and self-proclaimed human rights advocates consistently flood social media with relentless commentary regarding Gaza, Palestine and the judicial struggle of Umar Khalid, their striking silence on the heroic ordeal of Captain Smit Machchhar exposes a glaring ideological double standard. Captain Machchhar, an Indian pilot who displayed immense bravery after being severely stabbed during an airborne attack on Flydubai’s Tel Aviv-bound flight, put his life on the line to save over 170 passengers-an act praised nationally and internationally.
Yet, the complete absence of public statements or posts from prominent leftist voices regarding Machchhar’s valour reveals how selective outrage operates: incidents that showcase national pride, resilience against foreign threats, or co-operation with Israel are routinely ignored, while narratives that malign the country or align with geopolitical adversaries are amplified without hesitation.
This report highlights an ideological double standard by comparing 27 left-wing figures’ frequent posts on Gaza, Palestine, and Umar Khalid against their complete public silence regarding Captain Smit Machchhar’s heroic act. By documenting this contrast, the analysis underscores how selective outrage shapes political commentary while national acts of valour are systematically ignored.
While Rahul Gandhi repeatedly takes to social media to aggressively attack international counter-terrorism operations, condemning Israeli actions in Gaza as “crimes against humanity” and railing against foreign security policy, he maintains a complete and calculated silence regarding the heroic ordeal of Captain Smit Machchhar. Captain Machchhar displayed extraordinary valour by saving over 170 passengers during a dangerous airborne knife attack on a Tel Aviv-bound flight, yet Gandhi offered no praise or public acknowledgement for this act of national bravery.
Youtuber Dhruv Rathee routinely leverages his massive digital platform to publish detailed explainers opposing Israel and criticising public figures who do not actively support pro-Palestine rhetoric, such as his social media commentary surrounding the Oscars and foreign conflicts. However, when faced with a real-life crisis involving an Indian pilot’s life-saving heroics against a violent inflight threat, Rathee completely ignores Captain Smit Machchhar’s bravery, proving how selective digital outrage prioritises global political agendas over national pride.
Commentator Akash Banerjee dedicated full video features to critiquing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and attacking geopolitical responses in the Middle East. Yet, despite his focus on aviation routes and foreign security dynamics, he released no posts, tweets, or commentary honouring Captain Smit Machchhar, whose daring composure saved 174 lives on a Tel Aviv-bound flight during a terror-filled airborne assault.
Journalist Ravish Kumar expressed deep emotional praise for Gaza-based activists on social media while launching harsh attacks on Indian mainstream journalism for its coverage of international conflicts. Curiously, Kumar felt no such impulse to acknowledge Captain Smit Machchhar, completely overlooking a clear story of courage, professionalism, and survival on an international stage.
Activist Neha Bora actively mobilised campaigns, citizen calls, and online protests against foreign military actions in Gaza, demanding an end to alleged state complicity. Meanwhile, she maintained total public silence on Captain Smit Machchhar’s heroic rescue of over 170 passengers, displaying a clear unwillingness to recognise acts of personal bravery and security response when they do not align with her protest narrative.
Priyanka Gandhi repeatedly criticised the government’s foreign policy on X, accusing international actions in Gaza and the West Bank of being morally unjustifiable. Yet, when an Indian captain demonstrated extraordinary heroism to foil a violent airborne attack on a Flydubai’s Tel Aviv-bound aircraft, she posted no statement, demonstrating how partisan rhetoric routinely overshadows genuine national achievement.
Actor-turned-activist Prakash Raj took to Chennai streets to lead protests against Bharat and the United States over the Gaza conflict, loudly condemning international diplomatic stances. Despite his vocal posture on Middle Eastern security issues, Raj remained entirely silent regarding Captain Smit Machchhar’s courage in protecting 174 lives during a high-altitude attack.
Yogendra Yadav has spent years championing activist Umar Khalid, participating in Jantar Mantar protests, demanding his release, and framing his actions as peaceful dissent. In contrast, Yadav showed zero interest in celebrating Captain Smit Machchhar, who put his life on the line and sustained severe injuries to protect innocent passengers in the sky.
Lawyer Prashant Bhushan actively organised press conferences demanding boycotts of defence equipment bound for Israel and spent years defending Umar Khalid online and in public rallies. Despite his intense focus on Middle East supply lines and security issues, Bhushan posted nothing about Captain Smit Machchhar’s life-saving intervention during an attack on a flight heading to Tel Aviv.
Shabana Azmi prominently participated in high-profile street protests at Jantar Mantar calling for the release of Umar Khalid and highlighting global political causes. However, she completely refrained from posting any message of appreciation or recognition for Captain Smit Machchhar, whose heroic actions saved dozens of lives during a critical mid-air crisis.
While Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav made public statements on October 12, 2023, regarding the Middle East conflict by asserting that his party opposes war, he showed a complete lack of concern for Captain Smit Machchhar’s inflight struggle against airborne violence. Yadav offered no commentary, praise, or acknowledgment for the brave Indian pilot who sustained severe stabbing injuries while successfully protecting over 170 passengers on Flydubai’s Tel Aviv-bound flight.
Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee has repeatedly taken public positions on foreign conflicts, condemning Israeli actions in Gaza, calling for UN intervention, and criticising the legal process regarding Umar Khalid’s arrest by claiming political targeting. However, when faced with an unambiguous act of heroism and resilience, Banerjee maintained total public silence on Captain Smit Machchhar’s life-saving intervention.
Activist Harsh Mander authored a lengthy critique on March 30, 2025, titled “The Gaza Apocalypse and India’s Guilt,” sharply targeting India’s foreign policy and security ties with Israel. Yet, Mander showed zero interest in highlighting the courage of Captain Smit Machchhar, who risked his life in the sky to secure an aircraft bound for Tel Aviv during a violent attack.
Author Arundhati Roy used her high-profile PEN Pinter Prize acceptance speech on October 10, 2024, to deliver a passionate defence of Palestine and condemn military actions in Gaza. Meanwhile, Roy offered no public acknowledgment or statement celebrating Captain Smit Machchhar’s heroic actions in preventing a major aviation disaster.
Gujarat MLA Jignesh Mevani actively campaigned alongside Umar Khalid in public political events and pushed back against accusations of anti-national associations in media interviews. In stark contrast, Mevani posted no message of support or recognition for Captain Smit Machchhar, who placed his safety on the line to rescue 174 passengers during a dangerous mid-air assault.
Activist Teesta Setalvad authored articles highlighting devastation in Gaza and praising pro-Palestine demonstrations across the globe. However, Setalvad maintained absolute radio silence regarding Captain Smit Machchhar, overlooking a remarkable story of Indian composure and emergency response under violent attack.
Commentator Abhijeet Dipke actively posted on August 3, 2026, advocating for Umar Khalid’s ongoing court proceedings and trial progression. Yet, Dipke failed to issue any post or statement regarding Captain Smit Machchhar’s heroic survival and protection of innocent air travellers.
In a 2026 interview with the Indian Express, Gautam Navlakha expressed deep distress over the prolonged detention of Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam. Curiously, Navlakha expressed no public admiration or support for Captain Smit Machchhar’s life-saving bravery during an international aviation crisis.
Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar Azad “Ravan” fiercely attacked the Delhi Police and central authorities following Umar Khalid’s arrest, labelling the legal action unconstitutional and calling for opposition to the government. Meanwhile, Azad showed no public interest in praising Captain Smit Machchhar’s selfless service to protect over 170 citizens during an inflight emergency.
Actress and activist Swara Bhasker posted extensive pro-Palestine social media campaigns, shared archival photos from her Gaza visits, and promoted Mumbai solidarity rallies using aggressive hashtags against Israel. Despite her hyper-fixation on Middle Eastern geopolitics, Bhasker completely ignored Captain Smit Machchhar’s heroic actions in saving 174 lives on Fludubai’s flight bound for Tel Aviv.
Commentator Abhisar Sharma actively leveraged his X account in 2026 to criticise the judicial rejection of Umar Khalid’s bail and previously dedicated a full NewsClick broadcast in 2019 to defending Khalid against sedition charges. Yet, despite his frequent public posturing on legal rights and executive overreach, Sharma maintained total silence regarding Captain Smit Machchhar, offering no commentary or recognition for the pilot who put his life on the line to save over 170 passengers during an inflight assault.
Journalist Rajdeep Sardesai repeatedly questioned the legal proceedings against Umar Khalid on X, lamenting delay in trial in January 2026 and devoting a full ‘Straight Bat’ episode to championing Khalid’s cause. In stark contrast, Sardesai issued no posts or statements honouring Captain Smit Machchhar, completely ignoring a remarkable display of Indian courage and composure under violent attack.
Alt News co-founder Mohammed Zubair posted extensively on X throughout the Israel-Gaza conflict, focusing on calling out pro-Israel media narratives and fact-checking Middle East war coverage. However, when an Indian pilot sustained severe stabbing injuries to safely land Flydubai’s flight bound for Tel Aviv, Zubair failed to publish a single post celebrating Captain Smit Machchhar’s heroic actions.
The Wire editor Siddharth Varadarajan hosted dedicated programmes attacking Israeli actions in Palestine and lecturing on international law well into 2026. Despite his media outlet’s hyper-fixation on geopolitical developments surrounding Israel, Varadarajan offered zero coverage or public recognition for Captain Smit Machchhar’s life-saving intervention during an airborne crisis.
Alt News founder Pratik Sinha actively targeted pro-Israel social media trends, spoke at pro-Palestine solidarity rallies in Kolkata, and was quoted by international media like Al Jazeera for criticising Indian digital sentiment on Gaza. Curiously, Sinha remained entirely silent regarding Captain Smit Machchhar, showing no inclination to highlight an unambiguous story of Indian resilience and anti-terror composure.
Journalist Barkha Dutt posted on X and produced extensive on-the-ground video reports from the Gaza-Israel warfront for Mojo Story, framing her work around international conflict zone humanitarianism. Yet, Dutt chose not to post a single message of support or admiration for Captain Smit Machchhar, ignoring a daring real-world emergency handled by an Indian flight crew.
Actress Dia Mirza used her Instagram platform to reshare pro-Palestine protest imagery with “Let Gaza Live” graphics and flag emojis to show solidarity with Middle Eastern causes. However, Mirza offered no social media support, praise, or acknowledgement for Captain Smit Machchhar, whose heroic actions protected 174 lives on Flydubai’s Tel Aviv-bound flight.
Taken together, these pattern-driven omissions clearly illustrate how a dominant section of the activist and media ecosystem operates through selective outrage and ideological hypocrisy. While these commentators are quick to mobilise online campaigns, protest on the streets, and aggressively condemn the state over foreign geopolitics or controversial domestic figures, their complete indifference to genuine acts of Indian heroism and national duty speaks volumes. When individuals put their lives on the line to uphold the nation’s integrity and protect innocent lives, the sudden radio silence from these self-proclaimed conscience-keepers demonstrates that their advocacy is driven not by universal moral values, but by a biased political agenda that systematically refuses to celebrate Indian courage and national pride.
