Shiv Sena MP Ravindra Gaikwad who was banned from flying after he assaulted an Air India staffer apologised to Parliament.
In the Lok Sabha, Gaikwad said he had only shoved the Air India employee when he insulted MPs, adding, "I apologise to parliament but not to the officer (read Air India manager)."
Shiv Sena MPs cheered him during his speech where Gakewad described himself as gentle. "Vinamrata (humility) is my nature," he said, adding, "What is my crime that I am being subjected to a media trial by fire?"
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Air India, followed by private carries, have barred the Sena MP from flying on their flights after the Lok Sabha representative from Osmanabad in Mahrashtra claimed to have rained 25 blows with a sandal on a 60-year-old airline staffer for not helping him with a business-class seat.
His party has demanded that the airline lift the ban on him, which made him travel to Delhi by road multiple times after airlines rebuffed his multiple attempts to book himself a seat.
Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapati Raju, however, said: "The law should take its course. Aircraft are machines where people fly and safety is important. Safety will not be compromised."
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The uncompromising stand infuriated Shiv Sena lawmaker Anant Geete, who tried to charge at the minister shielded by others.
Geete threatened to disrupt flight service from Mumbai.
