New Delhi, March 27
Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan on Monday called for an amicable solution to the Shiv Sena's demand for removal of the blanket ban imposed by airlines on its MP Ravindra Gaikwad after he allegedly assaulted an Air India Duty Manager last week.
Mahajan told reporters after a meeting with Shiv Sena MPs that the issue should be resolved through talks.
"MPs need to attend Parliament and they can't travel always by train. At times, they need to travel by plane also. I feel this issue should be resolved amicably through talks," she said.
Mahajan said she would not pass a judgment and was just trying to help resolve the issue.
"As of now, everybody is angry. It is time to calm down. How the ban could be lifted needs to be discussed and resolved amicably," she said.
She also noted that no one should misbehave with another person.
Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju also joined the meeting later.
Gaikwad, who represents Osmanabad in Maharashtra, on Thursday repeatedly beat up the Air India official with a slipper after he was made to travel in Economy Class from Pune to Delhi despite holding a Business Class ticket.
There was no Business Class in the flight. The incident happened when flight AI852 from Pune reached Delhi around 10.30 a.m.
Air India later refused to fly him and other airlines followed suit. An FIR was also registered against the Sena MP.
Congress MP supports Sena's Gaikwad
Shiv Sena MP Ravindra Gaikwad, facing criticism over assault on an Air India staffer, on Monday got support from Congress MP Renuka Chowdhury who said different airlines should not ban him from flying on their planes.
However, Congress spokesperson Sanjay Jha said it is the "discretion" of the airlines to act as per their will.
"Even I think he is at fault, but the airlines should not have behaved in this manner. Air India (staffer) is the victim, but other airlines should not have imposed a flying ban on him, when he has a ticket booked with them," said Chowdhury.
"Also, till today (Monday), no case has been registered. I think the matter is being stretched a bit too much. They (airlines) are crossing the limits, which I think is wrong," she added.
Air India and all private carriers have refused to fly Gaikwad after he repeatedly hit an Air India employee with a slipper many times last week.
"Shiv Sena MP behaved in an extremely irresponsible and violent manner; we strongly condemn that. He needs to face the legal consequences following an investigation.
"As far as the flying ban by various private airlines is concerned, they have their own discretion to their course of action," Congress leader Jha told IANS.
Another Congress spokesperson Shaktisinh Gohil said: "Political leaders are a role model for people. Hence, such behaviour is not right. He (Gaikwad) should do introspection and mend his ways."
Shiv Sena MPs on Monday said the ban imposed by all airlines on fellow member Ravindra Gaikwad should be lifted but the government said airlines had the right to refuse a passenger.
The issue was raised by Shiv Sena member Anandrao Adsul in the Lok Sabha.
