Overview

• At least two pandals in Ahmedabad and Nagpur recreated the June 12 Air India crash with wreckage scenes, rescue figures and a Ganesha idol positioned as a tribute.
• One Instagram video of the Ahmedabad setup topped 9 million views, pushing the tableaux into nationwide conversation with sharply divided reactions.
• Aviation analyst Vinamra Longani called the concept “deeply disrespectful,” echoing many social media users who warned it could hurt grieving families.
• Organisers, including a mandal in Nagpur’s Jaripatka, defended the theme as homage to victims and first responders and as a statement of faith and resilience.
• In Ahmedabad, heavy footfall included some victims’ relatives and a Gujarat government note praised one pandal for saluting emergency services, with no official penalties reported.