Wings clipped in family and party, Tej Pratap on course to become a commercial pilot

Indian Express

5 hours ago

Former Bihar minister Tej Pratap Yadav has been provisionally selected for the Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) course at the Bihar Flying Institute, according to a circular issued by the state's Directorate of Aviation Training.
He had appeared for the interview for admission to the CPL course during the 2023-24 academic session, as part of the selection process conducted by the Bihar Directorate of Aviation Training. However, the release of the results was delayed due to ongoing litigation related to reservation provisions. Following a court order, the final merit list was published on June 20, making him eligible for formal admission to the course.
Tej Pratap's selection comes over a month after he made headlines for publicly expressing his willingness to serve the country as a pilot in the wake of Operation Sindoor.
It also comes weeks after former chief minister Lalu Prasad announced his son's expulsion from the Rashtriya Janata Dal, and 'from the family', citing 'irresponsible behaviour' and actions not in line with the family's values and traditions.
On May 7, as the Indian armed forces launched Operation Sindoor, striking terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and PoK, Tej Pratap posted on social media: 'If my pilot training can be of use to the nation, I, Tej Pratap Yadav, am always ready to serve the country. For your information, I have received pilot training, and if I lose my life for the country, I would consider myself fortunate. Jai Hind!' Along with the post, he had also shared pictures of his flight radio telephone operator's licence.
Two days later, he made another post addressing Prime Minister Narendra Modi. 'Honourable Prime Minister, Vande Mataram. In this situation of crisis, all countrymen are together. I, Tej Pratap Yadav, son of Shri Lalu Prasad Yadav, resident of Patna, Bihar, am also capable of fulfilling my responsibilities as an aircraft pilot. I have a strong desire to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our security forces at the border and thwart the evil intentions of our enemies. I request you to give citizens like me the opportunity to serve Mother India. If my life is lost in protecting the country and its citizens, I would consider myself fortunate.'
The posts had created a flurry on social media, with many pointing out that he did not have the required qualifications to be a pilot at the time.
However, it was another social media post that saw Tej Pratap expelled from not just his party, but also his family.
On May 25, RJD chief Lalu Prasad said in a post on X, 'Ignoring moral values in personal life weakens our collective struggle for social justice. My eldest son's activities, public conduct, and irresponsible behaviour are not in accordance with our family values and traditions…'
This came a day after a post was shared on Tej Pratap's Facebook profile that showed him with a woman. The caption claimed the two had been in a relationship for 12 years. The post was later deleted, and he claimed his social media profiles had been hacked.
A day before his selection to the CPL course, on June 19, Tej Pratap posted a cryptic message on social media, hinting at personal and political betrayals and vowing to reveal the truth, saying, 'Those who mistake my silence for weakness, do not think that I am unaware of your conspiracies. You started it, I will end it. I am going to break this web of lies and deceit. Be ready, the truth will come out. My role will be decided by my beloved people and the Hon'ble Supreme Court, not by any party or family.'