Monsoon Session Begins With Tribute to Air India Crash Victims by Lok Sabha Speaker

Monsoon Session Opens With Tribute to Air India Crash Victims Amid Mounting Questions Over Probe.

The Monsoon Session of Parliament began on a sombre note Monday, with Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla leading a tribute to the victims of the devastating Air India crash in Ahmedabad on June 12 — one of India’s worst aviation disasters in recent memory.

Speaker Birla paid homage to the 260 people killed when Air India Flight AI-171 crashed into a student hostel shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad Airport. Among the victims was former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, whose death sent shockwaves through the political establishment.

As the session opened, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, and MPs across party lines stood in silence to honour the lives lost.

Parliament Seeks Answers on Crash
The tribute comes amid growing pressure on the government over the investigation into the crash. At least 22 Members of Parliament have submitted formal queries to Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu, demanding transparency on multiple aspects of the probe — including black box data, safety procedures, and possible human or technical error.

A preliminary report released by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) last week pointed to cockpit confusion in the moments before the crash, raising concerns over the placement of the fuel cut-off switches — a potential factor in the disaster.

India Slams ‘Irresponsible’ Foreign Reporting
Indian officials have criticised several foreign news outlets for what they called “irresponsible and speculative” coverage of the crash. In a statement, the AAIB urged media organisations to refrain from premature conclusions, noting that the full investigation is still underway.

To assist with the technical inquiry, the AAIB has brought in veteran pilot Captain RS Sandhu — a former Director of Operations at Air India and a certified examiner for Boeing 787-8 aircraft — as a domain expert.

As the investigation continues, families of victims and lawmakers alike are pressing for accountability in what has become a flashpoint for aviation safety in India.