The Fall of Tejas: A Wake-Up Call Beyond the Crash

An Indian #Tejas fighter jet crashed during a live demonstration at the #DubaiAirShow on November 20, 2025, killing Wing Commander #NamanshSyal; My Blog on the same "The Fall of Tejas: A Wake-Up Call Beyond the Crash"

Jameel Aahmed Milansaar.

Bangalore.

email: sharejameel@gmail.com

The tragic crash of the Tejas fighter jet at the Dubai Air Show, resulting in the untimely death of Wing Commander Namansh Syal, is not merely a somber incident to be mourned in silence. It is a stark and painful indictment of the multifaceted challenges that beleaguer India’s indigenous defense production initiatives, especially under the much-vaunted “Make in India” banner. This catastrophe is less a freak accident and more a manifestation of systemic neglect—an indictment not just of one mismanaged aircraft, but of a broader malaise afflicting the nation’s defense establishment.

To dissect this tragedy is to peer into the heart of India’s contradictions: those of pride entwined with hubris, ambition tattered by complacency, and patriotism fractured by privilege. The valor and sacrifice of Wing Commander Syal, a brave pilot in his mid-30s hailing from humble Himachal Pradesh, stand in sharp contrast to the stark disparities that mark Indian society—where scions of political dynasties cruise comfortably in luxury while the scions of the middle class bear the brunt of inadequate support systems, risking their lives in aircraft plagued by structural failures and neglected maintenance.

This is a moment for India’s defense leadership—notably the Indian Air Force (IAF)—to confront some uncomfortable truths. Reports of oil leaks, deferred maintenance, and upgrades pushed through with an air of inflated confidence were not the stuff of idle rumours or foreign propaganda; they were warnings long ignored. It is testimony to an ingrained culture where the sheen of “indigenization” and nationalistic slogans often masks a disquieting reality: corners cut on safety protocols, urgent technical advisories brushed aside in favor of optical illusions of progress.

The Tejas, envisioned as a flagship of India’s aspirations for aerospace self-reliance, has soared into an unfortunate legacy of sorrow rather than the promised heights of pride. This is not simply about an aircraft crashing—this is about what that crash symbolically represents: a nation’s lofty dreams throttled by systemic negligence and unchecked pride. The rhetoric of “Make in India” must transition from hollow catchphrase to actionable accountability.

We owe it to Wing Commander Syal—and to every soldier, pilot, and technician putting their lives on the line—to demand nothing less than candid admissions, rigorous investigations, and sweeping reforms. The Indian Air Force Chief and the defense leadership must lead with transparency and humility, acknowledging failures and instituting robust safety and maintenance protocols. Technologies must not only be developed indigenously but perfected with meticulous care and unwavering commitment to human life.

For a country that prides itself on ancient wisdom and fierce patriotism, it is a bitter irony that patriotism today is bifurcated. The privileged few are shielded by their wealth and connections, while the valorous many—especially from the middle and lower-middle classes—are sent to the frontlines with inadequate safeguards. To see politicians fly comfortably in foreign jets while our young pilots perish in hastily upgraded indigenous aircraft is to witness the jarring dissonance between rhetoric and reality.

This is no time for pious platitudes or symbolic gestures; slogans will not save lives, only accountability will. The sacrifice of Wing Commander Namansh Syal must galvanize a national reckoning. Only then can India’s defense ambitions move from tragic headlines to triumphant tales of genuine progress. The wings of “Make in India” must not carry us to graves but uplift a nation determined to rise with integrity and courage.

In memory of our martyred pilot, the call is clear: It is time for a thorough cleansing of complacency, a reiteration of commitment to excellence, and an unwavering dedication to those who serve with bravery—regardless of their social standing. India’s pride must be measured not only in technological feats but in how fiercely it protects and values the lives behind those feats. That is the true hallmark of a sovereign and just nation's patriotism.