Vistara airline on Friday posted a photo with the much-condemned Major General (retired) GD Bakshi and thanked him for his ‘service to the nation.’ The airline’s gesture, however, backfired as it faced social media roasting for its action. That’s because Bakshi, who often appears on Arnab Goswami’s Republic TV, has become notorious for his communal rants.
While sharing the photo of its air hostesses with Bakshi, Vistra wrote on the microblogging site, “Honored to have Major General G. D. Bakshi (Retd), a decorated Kargil war hero, onboard our flight today. Thank you Sir, for your service to the nation.”
In the photo, two Vistra air hostesses could be seen proudly posing for the camera, standing behind Bakshi, who’s earned notoriety for his hate rants and support for the vicious communal agenda in India.
Honored to have Major General G. D. Bakshi (Retd), a decorated Kargil war hero, onboard our flight today. Thank you Sir, for your service to the nation. pic.twitter.com/peQsgrlVxc
— Vistara (@airvistara) April 19, 2019
The tweet has received hundreds of likes with celebrity chef Sanjeev Kapoor too sharing the post on his Twitter timeline. It evoked plenty of reactions with a majority of the social media users targeting the airline with criticism and ridicule. Others also posted memes around some of the most controversial speeches and abuses hurled by Bakshi in his public discourse.
Highly Disappointed with Vistara. First time disheartened. Have you heard this man on TV?
— Kakkar (@zedwrites) April 19, 2019
Yeh koi runway dikhana hai? YEH KOI RUNWAY DIKHANA HAI??!!
*on not getting the window seat*— LeBrown James (@Naa_Cheese) April 20, 2019
Don’t start a debate with him. You’ll put fellow business class passengers at risk ?
— Karan Johar (@KaranJohar4) April 19, 2019
Ye koi R*$><*khana hai? Ye plane hai.
— Arvind (@ARV1NDC) April 19, 2019
I am sure you too, as an ex-fauji are embarrassed of his public discourse.
— Skipper (@flyingmariner) April 19, 2019
Bakshi has faced public condemnation for his vile speeches and disgust for India’s freedom fighters. In a 2016 viral video, he was seen attacking none other than India’s father of the nation, Mahatma Gandhi, by saying, “You tell me what contribution did Mahatama Gandhi and Congress party make towards India’s freedom struggle?…. They say they faced lathi-charge (by English rulers), but even my buffalo gets thrashed by canes! (laughter breaks).. (gets agitated) If you have faced lathi-charge, then what will happen to bravehearts such as (Veer) Savarkar?”
More recently, he’s become a darling of the right-wing leaning Indian TV channels particularly Arnab Goswami of Republic TV. He’s often had to face condemnation for foul language, unbecoming of a former military general.
Maj Gen GD Bakhshi finds out the PAF F 16 fleet is intact pic.twitter.com/OtrvUSYK1Z
— Daaniyal (@Le_Sabre54) April 5, 2019
Another reason for notoriety has been Bakshi’s ability to peddle fake news on TV channels. Recently, while reacting on the Pulwama terror attack he had told India TV that former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti had sent an Indian army jawan to Tihar jail. His claim turned out to be fake.
This old junk, war mongering idiot must be booked for inciting communal hatred and violence.pic.twitter.com/Kc1U3Ad6cB
— Ravi Nair (@t_d_h_nair) March 8, 2019
In another viral video (see above), he was seen inciting violence against Muslims by distorting history. What’s now known as Khooni Darwaza in Delhi was a gate constructed by Mughal emperor Shahjahan. This came to be known as Khooni Darwaza when British rulers hung the heads of Mughal princes during the 1857 mutiny.