Vistara airline flayed for posting and then deleting image of Kargil war hero GD Bakshi

After a group trolled Vistara for posting a picture of Kargil war hero Bakshi alleging that he had made several controversial statements in the past, the airline, a joint venture between Tata Sons and Singapore Airlines, deleted the tweet. But the move drew the wrath of another group of Twitter users, including actor Anupam Kher, who found it to be in 'poor taste'.

In the initial tweet, Vistara had shared an image with Bakshi with the air hostesses traveling in one of their flights.

The airlines said it was an “honour” for them to host him.

Two air hostess of the airlines could also be seen with the war veteran.

However, later the airlines removed the image and posted a statement to defend their move saying: "Vistara routinely posts happy photos of our customers on board along with our crew. However a recent such post generated numerous comments that were disrespectful to all parties concerned. We do not want our platform to be disrespectful or hurtful to anyone. Our decision to remove the post was driven by the objective of deleting such comments. Thank you."

Colonel Bakshi told Times Now that the airline has not much fault owing to the fusillade of such comments by an anti-national group and the carrier even sent two persons to his residence to explain the incident and the circumstances under which they deleted the image.

However, Twitter users soon rejected the move made by Vistara and several people even went ahead and said they will not travel in the airlines any further.

"Dear @airvistara !! Your deleting a post about a decorated war veteran was in poor taste. Period!! I am sorry. No statement from you can justify that," actor Anupam Kher tweeted.

BJP spokesperson Tajinder Pal Singh Bagga echoed similar feelings as he remarked: "@airvistara deleted Honourable @adgpi Officer General GD Bakshi Pic after Anti Army Gang Pressure. I will never travel on Air Vistara till thn they tweet Pic again & apologies , RT if you will #BoycottVistara."

Arunava Das, a Twitter user, said: "Hi @airvistara I was planning to book your 7.15am flight from Delhi to Chennai but now opting for any other airlines available. Won't travel in an airline who fails to respect army veterans. Such a cowardly act by deleting Major GD Bakshi's pic. @TajinderBagga #BoycottVistara."

One Jiggs posted: "Request all senior executives working for big corporation to refuse to fly @airvistara for doing this to @GeneralBakshi .
Use other products. Many executives are doing this. Hit Vistara where it hurts them the most. "