Shiv Sena calls for bandh, to demand action against Air India for grounding MP who thrashed airline staffer

india

Updated: Mar 27, 2017 11:52 IST

The Shiv Sena said on Monday it will move a breach of privilege motion against Air India for grounding and cancelling Ravindra Gaikwad’s ticket after the controversial party legislator assaulted the airline’s staff last week.

In a show of support, the party has also called for a shut down in Maharashtra’s Osmanabad—the constituency which Gaikwad represents in the Lok Sabha. Shiv Sena supporters also held a motorcycle rally in Omerga.

Senior party leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay said the party is planning to bring a privilege motion over the issue and that the airlines should not have banned Gaikwad without carrying out an investigation into the matter.

“There is no need for any disciplinary action against him (Gaikwad),” Raut told Hindustan Times.

A breach of privilege is a violation of any of the parliamentary privileges or the rights and immunities enjoyed by MPs, MLAs and MLCs, to help them effectively discharge their functions. A notice is moved in the form of a motion by any member of either of the Houses against those being held guilty of breach of privilege.

Sena leaders said the party, which had earlier said it sought an explanation from Gaikwad, does not endorse his actions.

Gaikwad sparked outrage last Saturday after he assaulted a 60-year-old Air India officer on board a Pune-Delhi flight apparently over being denied a business class seat. The politician’s burst of fury, peppered with profanities, went viral on social media, drawing widespread criticism.

Several top politicians called for strict action against the politician, and civil aviation minister Ashok Gajapati Raju condemned the incident. Six top airlines – including Air India – put Gaikwad on a no-fly list and demanded exemplary punishment, forcing the parliamentarian to return to Pune by train.

Gaikwad, who took a train to travel to Maharashtra after he was banned by the airlines, was scheduled to meet Uddhav Thackeray, but the Shiv Sena chief decided against meeting the MP. Following that Gaikwad left for Osmanabad.