Viral video shows unprovoked assault on Muslim man; social media users decry hate crime, demand action from aviation ministry and IndiGo
NEW DELHI — A disturbing video from a Mumbai-Kolkata IndiGo flight has gone viral on social media, showing a Muslim passenger being slapped by a co-passenger mid-flight. The incident on Friday has sparked nationwide anger, with many calling it a case of religious hatred and discrimination.
In the footage, recorded by a fellow traveller, the Muslim man, visibly in pain, can be seen being led to his seat by cabin crew. As he is about to sit, another passenger suddenly slaps him hard. The cabin crew quickly steps in to prevent further violence, while nearby passengers express their shock and protest the attack.
One passenger can be heard questioning the assailant about his actions.
The attacker does not respond, and tension grips the cabin. The Muslim man, clearly distressed, holds his face and moans in pain. Crew members offer him water and attempt to calm him.
A flight attendant pleads with the attacker, “Please don’t hit him… stay calm.” Despite the crew’s efforts, the atmosphere remained tense for several minutes.
Once the video surfaced online, thousands of users expressed their anger. Many called it a targeted hate crime, pointing to the man’s Muslim identity and accusing the attacker of religious bias.
“This is not just an assault, it’s an open act of Islamophobia on Indian soil, inside an aircraft,” posted one user on X (formerly Twitter). Another user wrote, “It could have been anyone’s father or brother. This kind of hate is dangerous and must be punished.”
The video has been widely shared on various platforms, with users demanding that the airline and aviation authorities act promptly.
Despite the uproar, IndiGo Airlines has yet to release any official statement. The silence from the airline has only fuelled public frustration. However, a senior official from the Ministry of Civil Aviation told Clarion India: “We are aware of the video and the incident. It will be looked into seriously. Appropriate action will be taken after a full investigation.”
Many social media users appreciated the behaviour of the cabin crew, who remained calm and stepped in to stop the situation from escalating. “At least the IndiGo staff handled it maturely. Otherwise, the situation could have gone much worse,” a user posted.
The incident has once again brought attention to the growing sense of fear and insecurity among Muslims in India, especially in public spaces. Civil society groups and Muslim organisations have condemned the assault and called for accountability.
Speaking to Clarion India, social activist Anwar Jamal said, “This is the result of the hate narrative being normalised in society. When someone feels they can assault a Muslim in front of everyone and not even explain why, it shows how emboldened bigots have become.”
He further said, “The attacker should be arrested and banned from flying. If the airline and authorities don’t act, this will send a terrible message to the public.”
Others demanded that IndiGo issue an apology to the victim and make clear their stance on such hate-driven acts.
The identity of the attacker has not been confirmed yet. No formal charges appear to have been filed at the time of writing. Legal experts say that under the Indian Penal Code, assault in a public place like an aircraft is a punishable offence and can invite serious consequences, especially when linked to hate crime.
Meanwhile, many are calling for the passenger to be placed on India’s no-fly list until a full investigation is completed.
The incident is a fresh reminder of the everyday challenges faced by ordinary Indian Muslims. From train stations to classrooms and now even aircraft cabins, the feeling of being unsafe continues to grow.
“I fear for my children,” said a Muslim parent from Mumbai after watching the video. “If someone can be slapped inside a flight for no reason, what does it say about the society we are living in?”
For now, India waits to see if words of concern from officials will be followed by real action—or if this too will become just another forgotten video clip.
