Controversies

Boycott Vistara: Anupam Kher, Ashoke Pandit slam airline’s statement after it deleted a pic of ex-Army general GD Bakshi

Vistara had posted a picture of its staff with Major General (retd) G.D. Bakshi, leading to a social media backlash. The tweet was then deleted, which lead to people demanding the airline to be boycotted

Published

5 years ago

April 22, 2019

Henna Brar

Vistara Airline issued an official statement after facing heavy flak for a tweet they shared with a passenger. Vistara flight attendants clicked and shared a picture from the official Vistara handle with the controversial Major General (retired) GD Bakshi on Twitter. In the caption, the airline said they were “honoured” to host the Kargil veteran as a passenger on their flight, and the netizens lost their minds. Due to the severe backlash, the tweet was deleted and many have criticized the airline for removing the post due to the heat received. Some people have taken to social media to boycott Vistara airlines from here on out. Anupam Kher and Ashoke Pandit were the first to speak their minds.

Vistara has released an official statement explaining their actions saying “Vistara routinely posts happy photos of our customers on board along with our crew. However, a recent such post generated numerous comments that were disrespectful to all parties concerned. We do not want our platform to be disrespectful or hurtful to anyone. Our decision to remove the post was driven by the objective of deleting such comments”

. @airvistara deleted Honourable @adgpi Officer General GD Bakshi Pic after Anti Army Gang Pressure. I will never travel on Air Vistara till thn they tweet Pic again & apologies , RT if you will #BoycottVistara pic.twitter.com/rbyAvgEIDn
— Chowkidar Tajinder Pal Singh Bagga (@TajinderBagga) April 21, 2019

This statement insults a soldier who has protected you so that you live peacefully and do Buisness. It was U who decided to tweet and not he. We demand an apology from U to @GenBakshi otherwise We will continue to #BoycottAirVistara @airvistara pic.twitter.com/IUCdk7fuz5
— Ashoke Pandit (@ashokepandit) April 22, 2019

Dear @airvistara !! Your deleting a post about a decorated war veteran was in poor taste. Period!! I am sorry. No statement from you can justify that. https://t.co/HurpGbyk41
— Anupam Kher (@AnupamPKher) April 22, 2019

Hi @airvistara I was planning to book your 7.15am flight from Delhi to Chennai but now opting for any other airlines available. Won't travel in an airline who fails to respect army veterans. Such a cowardly act by deleting Major GD Bakshi's pic. @TajinderBagga #BoycottVistara
— Arunava Das (@Mr_Noblebanter) April 21, 2019