Aviation expert Harshvardhan on Tuesday strongly criticised Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju's boast that he could carry match boxes on an aircraft, saying that if the latter could carry banned substances onboard, then there is no stopping other passengers from doing the same.
"It is a very irresponsible statement. It is unfortunate for the country and the aviation fraternity that being the aviation minister, he so blatantly violates safety laws. These safety laws are in place as a precaution," Harshvardhan said.
He also lashed out against the continuing VIP culture and said security personnel must also bear responsibility for the violation.
"If the aviation minister has made such a statement, then he has no right to continue. Airports have sensitive cameras and x-rays that can detect all banned substances and articles. If the security personnel have ignored the warning and let the minister go ahead, then they must also bear responsibility," he said.
"It is surprising that Ashok Gajapathi Raju is breaking the law. He was the first civil aviation minister who took to standing in lines and, he himself, has been professing that he wants to do away with VIP culture. His boast that being the aviation minister he need not give up his right to carry a match is not acceptable by any standard," he added.
Earlier in the day, Gajapathi Raju had sparked off controversy by admitting that he carried match boxes in airplanes, without them being confiscated, after he became the union civil aviation minister.
