NEW DELHI: A distressing incident aboard an Indian flight from Mumbai to Kolkata has triggered widespread condemnation after a Muslim passenger experiencing a panic attack was slapped by another passenger, Indian media reported.
Discrimination against Muslims in India has spiked in recent months, amid heightened tensions between India and Pakistan in the wake of their recent military confrontation.
The incident occurred on Friday on IndiGo flight 6E138, while the aircraft was taxiing ahead of take-off, Hindustan Times reported.
A young Muslim man, who appeared to be unwell, was seen sobbing and walking through the aisle, repeatedly requesting to disembark. Without provocation, another passenger suddenly struck him across the face, Hindustan Times reported.
A video clip of the assault, filmed by another passenger, quickly went viral on social media. In the footage, the victim is visibly distressed after being hit.
One passenger can be heard confronting the attacker, saying, “Why did you slap him? You don’t have the right to hit anybody, do you understand?” A cabin crew member is also heard telling the accused, “Don’t do that.”
That man should be identified by @IndiGo6E and handed mover to police urgently.
Glad some people countered that hateful man for slapping an innocent patient who was Muslim.
pic.twitter.com/O3PL5FuK9M— Chandan Sinha (@profAIPC) August 1, 2025
The Times of India reported that the victim had suffered a panic attack before the assault occurred. The precise motive behind the aggression remains unclear, and an investigation is under way.
Following the plane’s arrival in Kolkata, the assailant was handed over to airport security. The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) took the individual into custody for further questioning, Hindustan Times reported.
In a statement posted on social media platform X, IndiGo condemned the incident, calling it “completely unacceptable” and reaffirmed its commitment to passenger safety and respectful conduct.
“Such unruly behaviour is completely unacceptable, and we strongly condemn any actions that compromise the safety and dignity of our passengers and crew,” the airline stated.
The airline added that it would pursue action against the assailant under India’s unruly flyer regulations, which could include a temporary no-fly ban.
IndiGo said that aviation security agencies had been informed in line with protocol and that its crew acted in accordance with standard operating procedures.
We are aware of an incident involving a physical altercation on board one of our flights. Such unruly behaviour is completely unacceptable and we strongly condemn any actions that compromise the safety and dignity of our passengers and crew.
Our crew acted in accordance with…
— IndiGo (@IndiGo6E) August 1, 2025
Medical professionals commenting on the incident have underlined the need for greater empathy towards individuals experiencing mental health episodes, particularly in public spaces such as aircraft cabins.
They warned that ignorance and hostility in such situations can escalate distress and endanger vulnerable passengers.
The video has prompted an outpouring of anger across social media platforms. Many users characterised the assault as a hate crime, pointing to the victim’s visibly Muslim identity as a likely factor.
One user on X wrote: “This isn’t society collapsing, it’s decades of hate politics finally reaching cruising altitude.”
Another commented, “Just slapping a guy because he was a visible Muslim? He should be behind bars and banned from travelling.”
In its May report, the New Delhi-based Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR) recorded 184 hate crimes targeting Muslims across India between 27 April and 8 May, in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Kashmir.
184 hate crimes targeting Muslims were recorded across India in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack. Each case has been documented with verified sources and relevant details in our updated report.
Scan the QR to read the full report. pic.twitter.com/l5R5CD3tGo
— APCR-Association for Protection of Civil Rights (@apcrofindia) May 12, 2025
Meanwhile, rights groups and commentators continue to call for strong action against the accused, urging aviation authorities and airlines to adopt a zero-tolerance approach to violent and discriminatory behaviour in air travel.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has not yet issued a public statement on the incident.
