Mahua Moitra, a Trinamool Congress Lok Sabha MP, said she was harassed by a group of men on an IndiGo flight to Delhi [1].
The incident highlights the intersection of political tension and personal safety for lawmakers during domestic travel. It also raises questions regarding the enforcement of passenger conduct policies on commercial flights.
Moitra reported that the harassment occurred on Thursday, May 9, 2024 [1]. According to the MP, the group of men engaged in leering, heckling, and recording her without consent [2]. She said the behavior was a violation of her safety and indicated that the actions appeared to be politically motivated [3].
During the encounter, the men allegedly targeted her political affiliation. Moitra said the men shouted "Chor, chor… Trinamool chor" [2]. This phrasing specifically targets the Trinamool Congress party, suggesting the harassment was an intentional political attack rather than a random dispute between passengers.
Moitra said the men "leered at me" during the flight [1]. She said she intends to seek action against the individuals involved and plans to file a formal complaint regarding the incident [1].
IndiGo has not provided a public statement regarding the specific details of the flight or the identity of the passengers involved. The MP used social media to bring the incident to public attention shortly after the flight landed in Delhi [1].
“"Leered at me"”
This incident underscores the volatile nature of political discourse in India, where targeted harassment of elected officials is extending into private and commercial spaces. By labeling the behavior as politically motivated, Moitra frames the event not just as a personal safety breach, but as an attempt to intimidate a representative of the Trinamool Congress.
