Will apologise to Parliament, but not Air India official: Ravindra Gaikwad

Shiv Sena MP Ravindra Gaikwad, who was banned from flying after he assaulted an Air India official with his footwear, said on Thursday that he had been "abused and manhandled" by the Air India staffer last month. He offered to apologise for his behaviour in Parliament but not to the 60-year-old flight official.

Gaikwad demanded that the flying ban on him should be lifted. He got support from other opposition parties.

Gaikwad, who told TV channels after the March 23 incident that he beat the Air India official with his sandal "25 times", said in the House that on the day of the incident he was made to travel in economy class despite having a business class ticket.

He said after the Pune-Delhi flight landed in the national capital, he asked for the complaint register.

"After 45 minutes, an officer came. I talked to him calmly, but he asked who are you. I asked him who are you, he said he is the 'father of Air India'. When I said that I was a politician, one of them said 'But you are not Narendra Modi. Are you?'" said the Shiv Sena MP, giving his version of the incident.

The MP alleged that the airline staff held him by the collar after which he pushed him.

"Even the Air hostess has given a statement that the incident happened because of the airline staff's misbehaviour. There is a video as well." (READ MORE)

Won't apologise over AI plane incident, says Sena MP Gaikwad

An unrepentant Shiv Sena MP Ravindra Gaikwad on Friday said that he would not apologise to the Air India staffer whom he assaulted, and instead blamed the airline employee for the incident.

The MP drew more flak on Friday, with four private Indian carriers banning him from flying, while Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathy Raju promised that action would be taken against him.

Gaikwad told reporters at the Maharashtra Sadan in the morning that he has no regret over his actions, saying "kaahe ka pashchaataap (what is there to repent)?"

"I will not apologise...He (AI Manager Sukumar) should come and apologise... Then we will see. A 60-year-old man should also know how to behave," he said.

Gaikwad said he went out to watch a Bollywood movie Badrinath ki Dulhaniya last night to "relax" himself after journalists sought his reaction over the incident.

"Tension-free hona chahiye na...You also watch the movie...It's very good," he said.

The first-time lawmaker also said he had made Parliament "proud", when asked if his act has brought shame to the temple of democracy.

Meanwhile, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan said she cannot take suo motu action and that she will take a call if it is brought to her notice in the House. (READ MORE)