The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad has passed a resolution demanding the Ashok Chakra for Captain Smit Machchhar for ensuring passenger safety.
The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad held its two-day All-India Office Bearers Meeting in Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh, on October 2-3, 2026.
During the meeting, the student organisation passed a resolution praising the indomitable courage of Captain Smit Machchhar for his extraordinary bravery in ensuring passenger safety. The organisation demanded that he be honoured with the Ashok Chakra, which is India's highest peacetime gallantry award.
Captain Smit Machchhar is a 39-year-old Indian commercial pilot who commanded flydubai Flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv on September 30, 2026.
The aircraft's co-pilot allegedly launched a calculated attack inside the cockpit, striking the captain with a sharp weapon and crash axe. During the violent struggle, the Boeing 737 MAX entered a steep dive and plummeted nearly 14,000 feet in less than 30 seconds.
Despite suffering severe head trauma, multiple stab wounds, and massive blood loss, Captain Machchhar fought back and pushed himself up to unlock the reinforced cockpit door. This action allowed alert passengers and crew to enter and subdue the attacker. Two off-duty flydubai pilots helped level the aircraft and divert it for an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, saving all 174 people on board. Captain Machchhar underwent emergency surgery in Saudi Arabia, and the Indian Embassy in the UAE confirmed he is out of danger and recovering well.
The meeting also reviewed a strong run in campus elections across the country, including wins at Panjab University, Delhi University, and universities in Haryana, Uttarakhand, Kerala, and Assam.
The leadership emphasised the importance of student representation and called for regular student union elections on every campus. The meeting further reviewed work done toward national integration in North East India and discussed action plans for upcoming national events and organisational campaigns.
