New Delhi: A disturbing video showing a Muslim passenger being slapped by a fellow traveler aboard an IndiGo flight has triggered widespread outrage across India and beyond, reigniting debates over rising Islamophobia and hate-fueled violence in the country.
According to Indian media outlets, the incident occurred on IndiGo flight 6E138 en route from Mumbai to Kolkata. The viral footage, filmed by a co-passenger, shows the visibly distressed victim in tears as cabin crew and fellow travelers attempt to intervene.
Reports indicate that the victim appeared unwell and may have been experiencing a panic attack when the unprovoked assault took place. Witnesses said he was walking down the aisle asking to disembark when another passenger suddenly struck him.
“Why did you slap him? You don’t have the right to hit anybody, do you understand?” a fellow passenger can be heard confronting the attacker in the video. A member of the cabin crew is also heard sternly telling the assailant, “Don’t do that.”
While the motive remains officially unconfirmed, social media users have overwhelmingly condemned the assault, with many arguing the man was targeted for being a “visible Muslim.” The clip sparked an outpouring of anger online, drawing attention to what activists describe as a climate of deepening religious intolerance in India.
“This isn’t society collapsing, it’s decades of hate politics finally reaching cruising altitude,” read one widely shared post on X. Another user demanded accountability: “Just slapping a guy because he was a visible Muslim? What action has been taken? He should be behind bars and permanently banned from flying.”
The incident comes against the backdrop of increased communal tensions between India and Pakistan following New Delhi’s allegations, without evidence, linking Islamabad to a deadly attack in occupied Kashmir’s Pahalgam. In the weeks since, watchdogs have reported a spike in hate incidents against Muslims across India.
Upon the flight’s arrival in Kolkata, the attacker was handed over to airport security and taken into custody by the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), which is now leading the investigation.
IndiGo Airlines has since issued a statement condemning the incident and affirming its commitment to passenger safety. “Such unruly behaviour is completely unacceptable,” the airline said on X. “We strongly condemn any actions that compromise the safety and dignity of our passengers and crew.”
The airline also confirmed it would take appropriate action
