ABVP Demands Ashok Chakra for Captain Smit Machchhar
ABVP demands India's highest peacetime gallantry award for Captain Smit Machchhar after he averted a mid-air disaster on flydubai Flight FZ1073.
In a powerful show of support for extraordinary bravery, the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) has officially demanded that Captain Smit Machchhar be honored with the Ashok Chakra—India’s highest peacetime gallantry award. The resolution was passed during the organization's two-day All-India Office Bearers Meeting held in Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh, on October 2–3, 2026.
A Heroic Battle for Survival
Captain Smit Machchhar, a 39-year-old veteran aviator with over 13 years of experience and 9,750 flying hours, has become a global symbol of courage. On September 30, 2026, while commanding flydubai Flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv, the captain faced a life-threatening crisis when his co-pilot allegedly launched a violent attack inside the cockpit.
The assailant reportedly used a sharp weapon or crash axe to strike the captain in an attempt to hijack or crash the aircraft. During the intense struggle, the Boeing 737 MAX entered a terrifying steep dive, plummeting nearly 14,000 feet in less than 30 seconds.
Defying Death to Save 174 Lives
Despite suffering severe head trauma, multiple stab wounds, and massive blood loss, Captain Machchhar’s resilience prevented a catastrophe. While lying injured on the flight deck floor, he fought through the pain to push himself up and unlock the reinforced cockpit door. This critical action allowed passengers and crew to enter, subdue the attacker, and secure the aircraft.
The miraculous survival of the 174 people on board was further aided by two off-duty flydubai pilots traveling as passengers, who helped level the plane for an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. Following the incident, Captain Machchhar underwent emergency surgery in Saudi Arabia and is currently receiving advanced medical care. The Indian Embassy in the UAE has confirmed that he is out of danger and recovering well.
ABVP Meeting: Student Issues and Political Resurgence
Beyond the resolution for Captain Machchhar, the ABVP meeting in Itanagar served as a major platform to discuss the current educational landscape and organizational growth. Key topics included:
- Student Welfare: Detailed deliberations on the state of student hostels in North East India and the implementation of the All India Hostel Survey 2026.
- Democratic Participation: The necessity of restoring student union elections across the country to ensure student involvement in educational matters.
- National Integration: A review of the organization's six-decade effort toward national integration in the North East through initiatives like SEIL@60 and SEIL Yatra.
A Dominant Run in Campus Elections
The meeting also highlighted the organization's significant electoral successes across various Indian universities, signaling a major resurgence in student politics:
- Panjab University: Won the President's post for two consecutive terms for the first time in 15 years.
- Delhi University: Captured three of the four central panel posts, including President, Secretary, and Joint Secretary.
- Haryana: Secured 33 out of 38 contested university seats.
- Uttarakhand: Won 64 out of 92 colleges, including 54 President posts.
- Kerala: Achieved a clean sweep at Sanskrit College, winning all 14 seats.
- Guwahati University: Opened its account in the Northeast with 3 seats.