A disturbing video showing a assault on Muslim man, mid-flight on IndiGo Flight 6E138 from Mumbai to Kolkata has gone viral, drawing widespread condemnation across social media.
Details of Assault on Muslim Man
According to multiple reports, the victim, who appeared visibly unwell, was receiving help from cabin crew and walking down the aisle in distress, reportedly experiencing a panic attack and requesting to deboard. Without any known provocation, another passenger suddenly struck him.
Footage shared online captured the victim sobbing after the assault, with another flyer confronting the attacker, saying, “Why did you slap him? You don’t have the right to hit anybody.” A cabin crew member also intervened, telling the assailant, “Don’t do that.”
Identity of the Victim
The identity of the victim was reported in some outlets as Hussain Ahmed Majumdar from Assam, though this remains unconfirmed by official sources. Social media posts suggest Majumdar was headed to Silchar via Kolkata, and his family has allegedly reported him missing after the incident, though this detail has not yet been verified by authorities.
Official Confirmation
Upon arrival in Kolkata, the attacker was detained by Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) officials. IndiGo Airlines has confirmed that the passenger was declared “unruly” and action is being taken under India’s Unruly Passenger Regulations, which may include a temporary no-fly ban.
The airline stated on X (formerly Twitter): “Such unruly behavior is completely unacceptable, and we strongly condemn any actions that compromise the safety and dignity of our passengers and crew.”
This incident occurs against a backdrop of rising Islamophobia in India, particularly in the wake of recent India-Pakistan tensions following unsubstantiated Indian allegations against Islamabad regarding the Pahalgam terror attack in occupied Kashmir.
Activists and Their Reaction
Activists and civil rights groups point to a broader pattern: according to the Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR), 184 hate crimes against Muslims were reported between April 27 and May 8 this year alone.
Online, the consensus was clear — many believe the victim was assaulted for being a “visible Muslim.” One viral comment read: “This isn’t society collapsing. It’s decades of hate politics finally reaching cruising altitude.”
The incident has reignited calls for stronger in-flight safety protocols and accountability, especially in cases motivated by religious bias.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, August. 2nd, 2025
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