In early 2025, a mid-air scare unfolded when a male passenger on an Indian domestic flight began shouting “Allahu Akbar” and pretending to pray loudly. Panic ensued, passengers assumed it was a hijacking attempt. When the man was restrained and questioned, it was discovered he was a Hindu man, reportedly “pranking” or “testing reactions.”
In late July 2025, a serious incident unfolded aboard an EasyJet flight from London Luton to Glasgow. A 41-year-old man named Abhay Devdas Nayak, reportedly of Indian origin, dramatically disrupted the flight by shouting bomb threats and slogans like “Allahu Akbar,” causing panic among passengers and leading to an emergency landing in Glasgow. Authorities later revealed that he was not Muslim, but retrospectively admitted he is Hindu, and had pretended for unknown motives—prompting widespread condemnation. Facebook+7The New Indian Express+7Scroll.in+7
Incident Details
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Nayak stood up mid-flight, shouting “Death to America! Death to Trump!” and stating he had a bomb — though no explosive device was found. New York Post
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Fellow passengers intervened and subdued him until landing. He was arrested immediately upon arrival in Glasgow. New York Post
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Subsequent reports confirmed he had falsely posed as a Muslim, chanting Arabic phrases — a gesture many saw as playing into Islamophobic stereotypes and causing undue fear.
Broader Implications
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Communal backlash: Muslim advocacy groups denounced the act as irresponsible and likely to exacerbate religious stigma.
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Media critique: International media, including Scroll.in and Times of India, highlighted how such acts could deepen communal distrust.
Conclusion
The episode stands as a cautionary tale: individual actions can feed communal narratives, and pretending religious identity—even as a prank—carries grave consequences. Airlines have reviewed their policies, and this case sparked dialogue about Islamophobia and public safety on flights.
