Rahul Gandhi stayed silent on hero pilot Smit Machchhar?

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Checked 8 Oct 2026

Re-checked 8 Oct 2026: first published as Misleading, now No proof yet.

While Rahul Gandhi did not personally post, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Jairam Ramesh publicly praised Captain Smit Machchhar on October 1. The claim of total Congress silence is incorrect.

Main source: Cbsnews

Nobody reliable has confirmed this. Reel by @civicpop_

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The Reel we checked

@civicpop_

BRO’S LOGIC LEFT THE CHAT!! 😑📉 Captain Smit Machchhar’s bravery was being praised across the world but Rahul Gandhi didn't utter a word... WHY YOU WILL ONLY…

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🚩 What's concerning

Doesn't add up

While BJP and VHP leaders claimed the Congress leadership remained silent on Captain Smit Machchhar's bravery, Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and Jairam Ramesh had already publicly praised him.

"The charge gained attention because Congress leaders had already praised Machchhar's bravery and wished him a swift recovery." India Today, 2026-10-04

"The BJP’s contention was focused on the absence of a statement from Rahul and Priyanka, despite Kharge and Ramesh having publicly praised Machchhar." The Tribune, 2026-10-04

What we checked

✓

Captain Smit Machchhar stopped a plane and saved the lives of 174 people.Cbsnews

Captain Smit Machchhar's bravery was praised globally, but Rahul Gandhi did not utter a word about it.No reliable source found for this yet.

🧩 Connected

The same claim was checked in another Reel (@bjfilmzsmedia, 2026-10-01): "Captain Smit Machchhar saved the lives of 174 people, including Israeli citizens and other nationals, during…", found true (see it)

What the Reel doesn't tell you

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge publicly praised Captain Machchhar on October 1, saluting his remarkable presence of mind and exceptional courage.
Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh also publicly praised the pilot's quick thinking and firm action.

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