Air India declined request to name martyr Maj. Mukund Vardarajan on flight

New Delhi: A request made by an Army officer accompanying the body of martyr Maj. Mukund Vardarajan to the pilots of an Air India Srinagar-Delhi flight on Sunday on board — that an announcement be made to the passengers about the supreme sacrifice of the slain officer — was not entertained by the pilots as it was against aviation rules, Air India sources have confirmed.

Maj. Vardarajan died in an encounter with militants in Jammu and Kashmir recently. The episode has triggered enormous debate on social media platforms.
According to sources, the Army officer on board the flight made two specific requests that the pilots broadcast a written message about thesupreme sacrifice made by the slain officer. “The request was not entertained since aviation rules do not allow for any announcement to be made randomly,” sources said.