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Bhagwat referred to Machchhar’s response to the attack as an example of how cultural conditioning shapes a person’s actions in a crisis, linking it to the values and upbringing that influence an individual’s conduct in difficult circumstances.

Machchhar was hit on the head with a crash axe by his co-pilot, Hammam al-Hammami, in the cockpit on September 30. Despite repeatedly losing consciousness, Machchhar told Sky News Arabia that he made himself act because he could not accept his death.

He eventually opened the cockpit door, allowing cabin crew, passengers and off-duty pilots to restrain the co-pilot. The aircraft made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, and all 180 people on board disembarked safely. UAE authorities are investigating the incident as an attempted hijacking, and al-Hammami has been arrested.

Machchhar, who has more than 15 years of commercial flying experience, has been hailed as a hero for actions that likely saved more than 170 lives. Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised his courage and quick thinking, saying they had prevented a possible “9/11-like incident”. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also called him a “true hero”.

Bhagwat also described Hindu consciousness as India’s national consciousness, saying it was not defined by religion, food habits or political ideology. “This Bharatiyata is Hindu consciousness. It can take everyone along without changing anyone,” he said, stressing the importance of respecting the country’s ancestors and those who had sacrificed for it.

He called on India to develop a new model of development and present it to the world, identifying global fraternity as a key feature of this consciousness.

In his address, he referred to Hindu outlook as the way of unifying the world without requiring anyone to change or surrender their distinct identity.

“This outlook has the power to unite the entire world without changing anyone or destroying anyone’s distinct identity. It has the capacity to beautifully weave all identities together into a common thread and take the entire world forward together”, he said.

Invoking the historical meaning of the term ‘Hindu’, Bhagwat said, “People who follow their respective regional and religious traditions, speak their own languages and maintain their food habits and customs, while upholding the values of spirituality, universal brotherhood and humanity, are described by the term ‘Hindu’.”