#BoycottSpiceJet Trends on X as Army Veterans Slam Airline Over Mistreatment of Soldier

New Delhi, 6th August 2025: Social media platform X has been abuzz with the hashtag #BoycottSpiceJet, which began trending on August 4, 2025, following allegations of mistreatment and manhandling of an Indian Army officer by SpiceJet staff at Srinagar airport.

The incident has sparked widespread outrage, particularly among army veterans and their supporters, who are calling for a boycott of the airline.

The incident involved Lieutenant Colonel Ritesh Kumar Singh, posted at the High Altitude Warfare School (HAWS) in Gulmarg, who was traveling on short, urgent family leave with only a cabin bag weighing approximately 8–9 kg. An eyewitness account shared on X claims that the officer, who had no check-in luggage, was confronted by 4–5 SpiceJet staff members at the boarding gate, leading to an altercation. The situation escalated, resulting in reported injuries to SpiceJet staff, with the airline alleging that Lt. Col. Singh made a “murderous attempt” on four employees, one of whom, Mudasir, suffered a spinal injury. An FIR was registered against the officer by the Srinagar police.

The officer has since filed a counter-FIR against the airline, accusing its staff of misconduct.

The controversy gained traction when retired Lieutenant General Vinod Bhatia took to X on August 4, urging current and former military personnel and their families to boycott SpiceJet. His post, which included a call to “jago fliers” (wake up, fliers), was widely shared, amplifying the #BoycottSpiceJet hashtag.

Other users, including @Joeyogesharmy and @SongsOfChinar, echoed the sentiment, condemning the airline for what they described as “inhuman treatment” and “victim-blaming” while accusing SpiceJet of attempting to cover up the incident through media manipulation.

One user, @AshTheWiz, noted they had stopped flying with SpiceJet years ago due to poor experiences, adding that the airline “deserves” the backlash. However, not all reactions supported the boycott.

Another user @DefenceBrat wrote, “Every soldier has a limit. This time, it wasn’t crossed ; it was crushed.”

Some users, like @Jasbirmaan, criticized the campaign as a “cheap attempt” to tarnish SpiceJet’s reputation, suggesting that fake eyewitness accounts and questions about the motives of Kashmiri ground staff were being circulated to protect institutional reputation rather than seek justice.

Another user, @kaidensharmaa, claimed that influencers were being offered money to post in favor of the airline, further fueling distrust.

The incident has reignited discussions about airline customer service and the treatment of military personnel in India.

The controversy underscores the power of social media in shaping public opinion and mobilizing action. While the boycott’s impact on SpiceJet’s operations remains unclear, the airline faces mounting pressure to address the allegations and restore public trust. For now, the #BoycottSpiceJet movement shows no signs of slowing down, as netizens continue to voice their frustration and call for change.