Trending: Air India crash-themed Ganesh pandals draw criticism online

Netizens are in shock after seeing at least two Ganesh pandals recreated near the site of the Air India crash.

On the fateful day of June 12 this year, a tragic incident shook the nation, involving an aeroplane crash, resulting in the death of all passengers except one in the Air India plane bound for London from Ahmedabad. However, during the ongoing Ganeshotsav celebrations, at least two pandals recreated the Air India crash site, drawing criticism from netizens.

Ganeshotsavpandals recreate Air India plane crash site, sparks outrage.

At least two Ganesh Chaturthipandals that recreated the site of the June 12 Air India crash have been criticized as disrespectful and distasteful. The first pandal was set up in Nagpur with a 3D model of an aircraft jammed into the entry gate to reimagine the Air India aircraft that crashed into a hostel building in Ahmedabad, killing 12 crew members and 229 of the 230 passengers on board. The second pandal in Ahmedabad recreated the site of the crash, showing everything in detail, right from the burnt buildings to rescue workers and more. One video of the Ahmedabad pandal thus far has crossed 9 million views on Instagram. Videos of the Ganesh pandal in Nagpur have also been widely shared online.

Watch the viral videos here:

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DODxqb7CYcj/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=6d79d551-05db-41d1-bc59-067a78f6db25

https://x.com/Vinamralongani/status/1962152211586359664?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1962152211586359664%7Ctwgr%5Ea3b3a3062fc9f0cb8b2d3f1d562bdb676a70ae73%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hindustantimes.com%2Ftrending%2Fair-india-crash-themed-pandals-spark-outrage-deeply-disrespectful-101756793876779.html

Netizens react to the viral video.

Aviation analyst VinamraLongani criticized the pandal as “beyond distasteful.” While sharing the video on X, he wrote, “A Ganpatipandal themed around the @airindia crash is not creative. It’s deeply disrespectful to the victims, their families, and the entire aviation community.” One X user wrote, “A matter of utter shame. Authorities in Nagpur should take strict action against this.” Another reacted, “Anything can be used for content nowadays, it seems… disgusting.” A third user asked, “Have we really become this insensitive that we cannot discern devotion from tragedy?” One more commented on Instagram, “This is not any kind of theme! Many families lost their loved ones in this tragic incident, which may hurt them.”