Ahmedabad AI plane crash: Praful Patel questions 'silence' of Singapore Airlines
Mumbai (PTI): Former Civil Aviation Minister and senior NCP leader Praful Patel on Wednesday questioned the "silence" of Singapore Airlines over the horrific crash of an Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner in Ahmedabad last week.
Singapore Airlines is a 25.1 per cent stakeholder in Tata Group-run Air India, and holds a board position in the airline.
Taking to X, Patel expressed dismay at what he termed as a "surprising silence" from Singapore Airlines over the tragedy.
The London-bound Boeing 787-8 aircraft carrying 242 passengers and crew members crashed shortly after take-off from the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on June 12.
While 241 persons on board the aircraft died, one miraculously survived. Besides, 29 persons on the ground were also killed in the tragedy.
"In all the sorrow and din surrounding the Air India crash, there remains a surprising silence - or perhaps ignorance - about the role of a substantial shareholder, and the entity responsible for maintaining a large number, if not all, of Air India's wide-body aircraft," Patel said in a post on X.
"Guess the name: Singapore Airlines. They seem to be in hiding. Let's not forget - they have a say in management and a codeshare agreement with Air India," said the NCP leader, whose party is an ally of the ruling BJP.
Highlighting the connection between Singapore Airlines and Air India's leadership, Patel said, "Importantly, Campbell Wilson, the CEO of Air India, is a nominee of Singapore Airlines. He previously served as CEO of their low-cost subsidiary, Scoot Airlines. Why this deafening silence, SQ?"
SQ is the IATA code of Singapore Airlines.
Almost a week after the Air India plane crash, the Singapore Airlines in a statement on Wednesday said it was in "close contact" with Tata Sons.
The Singapore Airlines (SIA) Group extends its deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of everyone affected by the devastating Air India flight AI171 accident, the airline said.
"We have been in close contact with our partner Tata Sons and Air India, and continue to offer our full support and all necessary assistance to them during this difficult time," it said.
Investigations into the crash are currently being conducted by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and Air India's internal safety board.
Besides, the government has also set up a high-level committee under Union Home Secretary to conduct a probe into the accident.
The committee has to submit its report in three months.
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AIITA welcomes Karnataka’s ban on obscene songs in school events
Bhatkal: The Karnataka unit of the All India Ideal Teachers Association (AIITA) has welcomed the Karnataka government’s decision to strictly ban school children from dancing to obscene songs during educational and cultural programmes in government, aided, and private schools across the state.
AIITA Karnataka State President M. R. Manvi congratulated the government for taking what he termed an important step to preserve the sanctity of education.
“Such decisions to safeguard the dignity of school children and uphold the values of education are the need of the hour. This rule should not be limited to government schools alone but must be strictly implemented in all private educational institutions as well,” he said.
He further urged the government to address other concerns within school programmes.
“The government should not only prohibit obscene dances in the name of school anniversaries, but also ensure that plays and dialogues that incite religious hatred are avoided. Schools should be centres of harmony, not platforms for spreading hatred,” he added.
According to a recent circular issued by the Department of School Education and Literacy, obscene dances are adversely affecting the mental health and moral values of students.
In this regard, schools have been advised to use songs that promote nationalism, positive thinking, the greatness of Kannada culture, and value-based traditions instead of inappropriate content during programmes.
The circular also emphasises that students should be dressed in decent attire.
AIITA also backed the department’s warning that disciplinary action would be taken against head teachers if such guidelines are violated. The association has further demanded that district Deputy Directors of Public Instruction strictly monitor the implementation of these rules.
