Kunal case: Indigo pilot-in-command objects to Kamra’s ban

NEW DELHI: An IndiGo pilot-in-command, who flew comedian Kunal Kamra was disheartened on the airline’s action to put a six-month ban on the comedian.

The pilot, Rohit Mateti, in his letter written to the airline’s management on Thursday conveyed his anguish saying that the taken action in this case solely taken on the basis of social media posts.

Unprecedented

In the letter, the pilot also had expressed his concerns over Indigo taking action ‘without consulting the Pilot-in-Command’.

The pilot also called the action against Kamra as “unprecedented”.

He outlined that he noticed Kamra gesticulating to Republic TV editor Arnab Goswami, who was unresponsive.

“I did not observe any physical contact between the two gentlemen at any point. I made a Passenger Address to the cabin asking the gentleman standing in the passenger aisle near Row 1 to return to his seat,” he said.

“I then asked the LCA to speak with Mr. Goswami and inform him that the Flight Deck send their regards, and that if he wished to lodge a complaint, we would be happy to assist him after landing in Lucknow. He was also offered extra Foof and Beverages. He thanked the LCA and acknowledged the offer,” the pilot stated.

The pilot said that Kamra apologised him personally.

“I asked him if his issue was political in nature, which he confirmed. I advised him that while we are all entitled to our opinions, there was a time and place to voice them, and that mid-flight was no place for it. He agreed, thanked us and left the aircraft,” the pilot wrote in his letter.

The pilot also said that Kamra’s behaviour was unacceptable and verbally abusive but he complied with crew instructions.

Airlines ban

The development comes after a flying ban was imposed over stand-up-comic Kamra’s behaviour with Goswami during an Indigo flight and making a video of it.

In the video posted by Kamra on his Twitter handle, Goswami remained glued to his laptop and did not respond to the former’s questions, jibes and comments.

On Tuesday evening, Indigo issued a statement via Twitter where they announced that they are banning Kunal Kamra for six months for his in-flight behaviour.

Air India, SpiceJet, and GoAir declared a ban on the comedian without specifying any period until further orders.

‘Sorry for not being sorry’

After the incident, Kamra on Thursday took to Twitter and shared his photograph holding a placard which read: “Arnab I just want to say I am not sorry.”

He captioned the image: “Sorry for not being sorry.”

However, Arnab Goswami chose to remain quiet and did not answer back.