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Air India crash-themed Durga Puja pandal faces backlash: ‘What a shame to glorify a tragedy’

A viral clip of a Durga Puja pandal depicting the Air India crash sparked outrage.

Published on: Oct 04, 2025 04:09 PM IST
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A Durga Puja pandal that recreated the site of the June 12 Air India crash has come under heavy criticism for being disrespectful and distasteful. The pandal depicts half of an aircraft lodged into a wallpaper-themed building to reimagine the Air India aircraft that crashed into a hostel building in Ahmedabad, killing 12 crew members and 229 of the 230 passengers on board.

Social media users slammed a Durga Puja pandal that mimicked the deadly Air India crash. (X/@desimojito)
Social media users slammed a Durga Puja pandal that mimicked the deadly Air India crash. (X/@desimojito)

(Also read: Air India crash-themed pandals spark outrage: ‘Deeply disrespectful’)

Check out the clip here:

The clip of the pandal has been widely circulated on social media. HT.com, however, cannot independently verify the location of the footage.

Internet reacts with anger

One user wrote, “How absolutely sad is that! How much trauma would it cause the families of the victims.” Another commented, “This is so so bad … very hurting … imagine lost family members seeing this.” A third remarked, “Celebrate the divine and honour the departed with compassion, as their journey ended abruptly, leaving families grieving.”

The outrage grew as more reactions poured in. “What a shame to glorify a tragedy,” one said. Another termed it “sick mentality.” A visibly angry user added, “Whosoever has approved this should be arrested immediately.”

About June 12 Crash

The Air India tragedy remains one of the deadliest aviation accidents in recent years. On June 12, Air India Flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8, crashed shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad while en route to London Gatwick. The accident killed 241 people, including 230 passengers, 12 crew members, and several on the ground. Only one passenger survived.

 
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Mahipal Singh Chouhan

Mahipal Singh Chouhan is a Senior Content Producer at Hindustan Times Digital, with nearly five years of experience in digital journalism and content production. His work primarily focuses on offbeat and trending stories that reflect everyday experiences and evolving conversations on the internet. He has consistently worked on transforming viral content and human interest stories into structured news pieces that engage readers while maintaining editorial clarity. At Hindustan Times, Mahipal contributes to identifying and developing stories emerging from social media trends, online communities, and real-world incidents that capture public attention. His approach involves adding context and journalistic perspective to fast-moving digital narratives, helping present viral moments in a clear and reader-friendly format suited for digital audiences. Before joining Hindustan Times Digital, he was associated with DNA India, where he gained experience in newsroom workflows and digital storytelling practices. Mahipal holds a degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the Vivekananda Institute of Professional Studies, Delhi. He is particularly interested in tracking emerging trends and understanding how online conversations evolve into broader public discussions. His work reflects a focus on accuracy, readability, and relevance in the rapidly changing digital news environment. Outside of his professional responsibilities, Mahipal takes an interest in history and sports and regularly works on improving his general knowledge, which complements his curiosity as a media professional.

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