'Off the mark': Drone Federation of India chief slams Rahul Gandhi for flying 'banned Chinese drone' in video

After Congress leader Rahul Gandhi showcased a China-made drone in a new video, Drone Federation of India President Smit Shah said blanket criticism of the Indian drone industry was uncalled for.

“Rahul Gandhi's statements dismiss India's drone industry while proudly showcasing a banned Chinese DJI drone. Yes, the industry is still in its nascent stage and a lot has to be done, but arm chair criticism with zero tangible suggestions won’t help. Collective efforts of industry players, academia, and policymakers are truly remarkable,” Shah posted on X.

In his video, Shah also explained why he thought Gandhi was off the mark. He also posed several questions for Gandhi, including whether he had a drone pilot licence to fly a drone as he was seen operating one in the video.

“His video raises serious concerns – DJI drones are banned in India from 2022. How was this drone acquired? Drone Rules 2021 mandate all drones be registered on DigitalSky. Was this? Operating a drone requires a Remote Pilot Certificate. Did he have one? His residence & office is likely in the red zone. Did he get clearance from MoCA/MHA before flying the drone? Do the rules not apply to him? Or does he just not care," Shah asked.

Meanwhile on Sunday, former Infosys CFO Mohandas Pai questioned whether the drones featured in Gandhi’s video were sourced from China. Responding to Gandhi’s remarks about India’s lag in drone production, Pai defended the country’s industrial progress and urged an end to what he termed as a "fake narrative."