"Abhinandan matured as pilot in UPA era", says Salman Khurshid; faces flak for “ill-timed” comment

In a tweet being termed “ill-timed” by many people, Khurshid said his party was proud that Abhinandan “received his wings in 2004” and “matured” as fighter pilot during UPA.

Wing Commander Abhinandan smiles as he walks towards his homeland from his captor's side/ Image: PTI

New Delhi: Soon after Wing Commander Abhinandan varthaman returned to India from Pakistan’s captivity triggering a wave of elation among fellow Indians who were waiting eagerly for his return, a tweet of Congress leader Salman Khurshid however has led to a political controversy. In a tweet being termed “ill-timed” by many people, Khurshid said his party was proud that Abhinandan “received his wings in 2004” and “matured” as fighter pilot during UPA. The tweet came under heavy criticism on the micro blogging platform with users accusing the party of taking credits for the heroics of the IAF pilot who displayed great bravery even in enemy captivity. Amid strained India-Pakistan ties drooped at an all time low, Khurshid wrote on Twitter: “Many kudos for Wing Commander abhi Varthaman the face of India’s resistance to enemy aggression. Great poise and confidence in face of adversity. We are proud that he received his wings in 2004 and matured as fighter pilot during UPA.”

Many kudos for Wing Commander abhi Varthaman the face of India’s resistance to enemy aggression. Great poise and confidence in face of adversity. We are proud that he received his wings in 2004 and matured as fighter pilot during UPA

— Salman Khurshid (@salman7khurshid) March 2, 2019

After facing criticism, Khurshid responded with another tweet: “When you inject hydrochloride into infested wound maggots come crawling out. My tweet seems to have done that to intellectual maggots who hoped to appropriate another hero despite being a burden on society.” In following tweet he wrote: “Thanks for opening my eyes! It is mature to describe what happened as ‘pilot project’ as PM did or ‘20 seats for the strike’. Now who should retire? Who is dumb? Pathetic that you trolls are on such pay rolls.” The IAF pilot returned two days after he was captured by Pakistani Army following a dogfight when his MiG-21 was shot down in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Pakistan had violated Indian airspace and tried to target India’s military establishments as a response to India’s counter=terrorism operations on JeM camp in Balakot. The incident was a response to Pakistan’s inaction over JeM which carried out massive terror attacks in Kashmir’s Pulwama. The nation rejoiced as the brave heart pilot crossed over to the Indian side at the Attari Wagah border on Friday night after daylong wait.