Two Democracies - Two Airlines - Two Actions
In just two weeks time people across the globe have witnessed two different scenarios in two different parts of the world both of which are known as largest democracies in the world. While in one instance, Ravindra Gaikwad, a Shiv Sena MP from Osmanabad in Maharashtra repeatedly hit a 60-year old Indian Airlines staffer with his slippers, in the other instance United Airlines had forcibly removed and dragged a passenger by name David Dao making him bleed in the process.
In one case it is the airlines staff who was at the receiving end and in the other case it was passenger(s). Both these incidents smack of arrogance that comes from the top. Whatever be the reasons for their actions, the MP from India and the Airlines in US have done something that is highly condemnable and unpardonable in a civilised society.
The MP comes with the mindset of elected representatives in India who think or presume that they are above the law of the land and can get away with anything they do. And get away; yes indeed he did. The governments of the day have fallen prey to coalition politics and compromised on the values that they keep repeatedly lecturing during election rallies and incorporate in election manifestos. He was let off the hook without any penal action and the party the MP belonged to had the audacity to threaten the Centre that they would not allow flights from Mumbai and Pune. The Centre just caved in and gave up. He is literally a free 'bird' now as he can fly again by any airline of his choice.
In the case of United Airlines, the question that comes up is 'on what basis did they select these four passengers for deplaning'. We all know that every business exists for its customers. But is it different for United Airlines? How could they deplane their customers for the sake of four crew members? Who comes first -crew members or the customers(passengers)? How did the overbooking happen? Does the Airline have answers for these questions? Irrespective of the answers, United Airlines is at serious fault and deserves no pardon.
Another worrisome trait in both the cases is that none of the other passengers had dared to come to the rescue of either the Air India staffer when he was being hit or David Dao when he was being dragged down the aisle. If other passengers collectively stood and fought the inhuman behaviour, the MP as well as United Airlines would have had no other option but to stop doing those acts then and there. But alas! the other passengers were least bothered as they are not UNITED.
The MPs are all UNITED, all the businesses are UNITED but people are never UNITED and as long as people are DISUNITED, be rest assured that they will continue to be treated in this manner whether it is in advanced America or advancing India.
That leaves us with an altered phrase: UNITED THEY STAND, DIVIDED WE LIVE.
In one case it is the airlines staff who was at the receiving end and in the other case it was passenger(s). Both these incidents smack of arrogance that comes from the top. Whatever be the reasons for their actions, the MP from India and the Airlines in US have done something that is highly condemnable and unpardonable in a civilised society.
The MP comes with the mindset of elected representatives in India who think or presume that they are above the law of the land and can get away with anything they do. And get away; yes indeed he did. The governments of the day have fallen prey to coalition politics and compromised on the values that they keep repeatedly lecturing during election rallies and incorporate in election manifestos. He was let off the hook without any penal action and the party the MP belonged to had the audacity to threaten the Centre that they would not allow flights from Mumbai and Pune. The Centre just caved in and gave up. He is literally a free 'bird' now as he can fly again by any airline of his choice.
In the case of United Airlines, the question that comes up is 'on what basis did they select these four passengers for deplaning'. We all know that every business exists for its customers. But is it different for United Airlines? How could they deplane their customers for the sake of four crew members? Who comes first -crew members or the customers(passengers)? How did the overbooking happen? Does the Airline have answers for these questions? Irrespective of the answers, United Airlines is at serious fault and deserves no pardon.
Another worrisome trait in both the cases is that none of the other passengers had dared to come to the rescue of either the Air India staffer when he was being hit or David Dao when he was being dragged down the aisle. If other passengers collectively stood and fought the inhuman behaviour, the MP as well as United Airlines would have had no other option but to stop doing those acts then and there. But alas! the other passengers were least bothered as they are not UNITED.
The MPs are all UNITED, all the businesses are UNITED but people are never UNITED and as long as people are DISUNITED, be rest assured that they will continue to be treated in this manner whether it is in advanced America or advancing India.
That leaves us with an altered phrase: UNITED THEY STAND, DIVIDED WE LIVE.
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