NEW DELHI, India – July 15, 2025
As India celebrates the historic return of Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla from his pioneering mission to the International Space Station (ISS), a new controversy has erupted following a statement by Congress leader Udit Raj. Raj has publicly asserted that an individual from the Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), or Other Backward Classes (OBC) should have been sent to space instead of Shukla this time.
The contentious remarks were made by Udit Raj, a prominent Dalit leader and former MP who joined the Congress party in 2019, shortly after Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla’s successful splashdown on Tuesday.
Udit Raj’s Statement Sparks Debate
Speaking to media, Udit Raj congratulated Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla on his safe return, acknowledging his historic achievement as the first Indian to visit the ISS. However, he quickly pivoted to question the selection process, stating, “When Rakesh Sharma was sent earlier (in 1984), the SC, ST, OBC people were not that educated. But this time, I think it was the turn to send a Dalit. It is not that NASA conducted an exam, and then there was a selection. Any Dalit or OBC could have been sent in place of Shukla ji.”
Raj further emphasized that opportunities like space travel should be extended to members of marginalized communities, arguing for greater representation in such high-profile national endeavors. His statement has swiftly garnered significant backlash across social media platforms, with many accusing him of politicizing a scientific and national achievement.
Context: Shubhanshu Shukla’s Historic Mission
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, an Indian Air Force test pilot, recently completed an 18-day mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS) as part of Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4). He is the second Indian citizen to travel to space and the first to visit the ISS. His mission was pivotal for India, conducting over 60 scientific experiments, including several for ISRO, providing invaluable data for the upcoming indigenous Gaganyaan human spaceflight program. Shukla is also one of the four astronaut-designates for the Gaganyaan mission.
The selection of astronauts for such missions, whether commercial flights like Ax-4 or ISRO’s Gaganyaan, is based on rigorous criteria including extensive flying experience (often from the armed forces), exceptional physical and psychological fitness, advanced scientific and engineering knowledge, and performance in highly specialized training modules. The process typically emphasizes merit, technical expertise, and adaptability to extreme environments.
Reactions and Counter-Arguments
Udit Raj’s comments have ignited a fierce debate:
- Criticism from Opponents: Leaders from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and many social media users have sharply criticized Raj, asserting that qualifications and merit, not caste, should be the sole determinants for selecting astronauts for highly complex and critical space missions. They argue that such statements undermine scientific achievements and promote divisive politics.
- Mixed Reactions within Congress: While some within the Congress party might align with the broader call for social justice, others have cautiously distanced themselves from politicizing an individual’s achievement in this manner.
- Focus on Merit in Space Missions: Experts in aerospace and former defence personnel highlight that astronaut selection for space missions is an extremely specialized process demanding unique skills, intellectual ability, and professional acumen, where caste or religion play no role.
The statement has put the Congress party in a difficult position, caught between its stated commitment to social justice and the potential for backlash over perceived politicization of a national triumph in space.
As the nation celebrates Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla’s safe return and invaluable contribution to India’s space aspirations, Udit Raj’s comments have injected a controversial socio-political dimension into the narrative.
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