For years, one of the most persistent stereotypes thrown at Brahmins in Dravidianist and Left political discourse is that they represent privilege without sacrifice.
They are routinely portrayed as beneficiaries of an old social order — people who supposedly enjoyed power and privilege while others bore the burdens and made the sacrifices.
There have been many in the Army, Brahmins especially from Tamil Nadu who have sacrificed their lives for the nation, in the line of duty. But their names are never highlighted.
Then came Captain Smit Machchhar.
The Mumbai-based Indian pilot, reported by Gujarat-based outlets to belong to a Gujarati Nagar Brahmin family, was at the controls of a Flydubai Boeing 737 carrying 174 passengers when his own co-pilot allegedly attacked him inside the cockpit.
What followed was not a story of privilege.
It was a story of courage.
According to reports, the aircraft plunged almost 14,000 feet in a matter of seconds after Machchhar had been stabbed by his Omani Muslim co-pilot and was bleeding heavily. Yet, despite his injuries, he fought back and managed to unlock the cockpit door. That allowed passengers and crew members to enter, overpower the attacker and prevent what could have become a catastrophic crash akin to 9/11.
The aircraft was eventually brought under control and made an emergency landing at Tabuk in Saudi Arabia. Machchhar was taken to hospital and underwent treatment. He remains alive and is reported to be in stable condition.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly praised Machchhar, crediting him with fighting back despite being seriously injured and enabling passengers and crew to overpower the attacker. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also hailed the Indian captain’s courage and said his actions helped avert a major tragedy. Even POTUS Donald Trump praised Machchhar.
There is an important point here that goes beyond this particular flight.
Machchhar did not ask anyone’s caste or nationality before putting his own life at risk.
That is perhaps the simplest answer to the caricature of Brahmins as people who never sacrifice.
For generations, Brahmins from Tamil Nadu and elsewhere have served in India’s armed forces, with many making the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. Their stories rarely become part of the caste debate.
Smit Machchhar’s story should.
Not because his caste makes his courage greater, but because his courage makes the stereotype impossible to sustain.
He put his life on the line and carried out his duty. 174 passengers lived. That is the story.
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