In a major breakthrough in the Air India Express crisis, which had led to the cancellation of over 170 flights since Wednesday, the union representing a section of the airline’s employees has said that all the crew members who had reported sick will return to duty immediately. The airline’s management has also agreed to reinstate 25 crew members who were sacked over the protests, a statement from the Labour Commissioner’s office said. 

Conciliation proceedings were held at the Labour Commissioner’s office on Thursday and representatives of the airline’s management and the Air India Express Employees Union attended. After the meeting, a statement was released by the office of the Chief Labour Commissioner (Central) announcing the breakthrough and, importantly, it was signed by representatives of both the management and the employees’ union. 

“It is reported by the media that the cabin crew of Air India Express Ltd. have reported sick-en-masse which disrupted flight operations widely… After detailed discussions deliberation, persuasion and on appeal of Conciliation Officer and Chief Labour Commissioner (Central) the representative of union (members of cabin crew) agreed that all the cabin crew members who have reported sick will report for duty with fitness certificate immediately,” the statement said. 

“On appeal of the Chief Labour Commissioner (Central) the management agreed to reinstate 25 cabin crew who have been terminated on 07th and 08th May 2024 for reporting sick as a concerted action immediately. The management will review the cases of these cabin crew as per service regulations,” it added.

The Labour Commissioner’s office said that the representatives of the management have given an assurance that all the issues raised by the cabin crew before them and during conciliation proceedings would be looked into and resolved. 

The move will come as a relief to passengers, hundreds of whom were left stranded, especially on Wednesday when the sudden cancellations began. Air India Express CEO Aloke Singh had written to employees on Wednesday and said that the number of flights being operated will be reduced over the next few days, but the situation is likely to improve now. 

Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury‘s “we have Proto Australoids… Mongoloid… Negrito (in India)” comment – referring to now-outdated racial and anthropological groupings of humankind – triggered a fresh row Thursday, a day after Sam Pitroda‘s “North Indians look like white (people)… South Indians look like Africans” remark spawned a furious pushback from the BJP and accusations of disrespecting Indians based on skin colour.

“We have Proto Australoids, Mongoloids, (and) Negrito class of people. Hai to hai (It is how it is) … in the demography of our country, regional features are different. What someone said (referring obliquely to Mr Pitroda’s comment) is his opinion…” Mr Chowdhury said.”But it is true some people are white…and some are dark.”

Mr Chowdhury’s statement – seen as an attempt to defend Mr Pitroda after his racist remarks – has been slammed by the BJP, with Shehzad Poonawalla also dredging up the row over the Bengal Congress boss’ comments about President Droupadi Murmu in July 2022. 

READ | Congress Leader’s Written Apology To President For ‘Rashtrapatni’ Remark

“It shows the words are from Sam Pitroda and the soch (way of thinking) is of the Congress. Calling Indians ‘Negrito’… Is this justifying comments by Uncle Sam (a jibe at the United States-based Mr Pitroda)? Is this why they did not sack him? Will they sack Adhir… who in the past said ‘rashtrapatni’ for Droupadi Murmuji?” Mr Poonawala raged.

Adhir Ranjan crosses the limits

In defending Sam Pitroda he calls Indians (Negro or Negrito/Negrita )
Safed, Kala !

Both words are offensive https://t.co/YSzE7DaJAX

It shows that the words are Sam Pitroda but soch is of Congress

Calling Indians as Chinese / African/… pic.twitter.com/9v0Uf0ChEd

— Shehzad Jai Hind (Modi Ka Parivar) (@Shehzad_Ind) May 9, 2024

The Congress has not yet responded to Mr Chowdhury’s comment.

On Wednesday an excerpt from Mr Pitroda’s interview with The Statesman was circulated online, in which he described India as a “… diverse country… where people in the East look like Chinese… people in the North look like, maybe, white (people) and people in the South look like Africans”.

READ | “South Indians Look Like Africans…”: Sam Pitroda Embarrasses Congress Again

The Congress distanced itself from the remark – which followed another equally controversial comment by Mr Pitroda about inheritance taxes – but not before it drew a furious response from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who said the country “won’t tolerate disrespect on the basis of the colour of skin”.

READ | PM’s Retort To Sam Pitroda’s Racist Flub, BJP Leaders’ ‘Look Indian’ Posts

Repeating his “shehzade (prince)” barb for Mr Gandhi, he said, “Shehzade, you will have to answer. The country will not tolerate the disrespect of our countrymen on the basis of the colour of skin…”

READ | Sam Pitroda Quits After Landing Congress In New Mess Over Racist Remark

Hours after the comment Mr Pitroda quit as chief of the Congress’ overseas unit. Party comms boss Jairam Ramesh said the resignation was “of his (Mr Pitroda’s) own accord”.

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During his visit to India, Maldives’ foreign minister Moosa Zameer underscored that President Mohamed Muizzu’s choice to visit China before India was primarily driven by convenience, rather than signaling any fundamental geopolitical realignment. Zameer also addressed rumors concerning potential military agreements with China, stressing that the Maldives has no plans to allow foreign militaries to operate on its territory.