India has witnessed an extraordinary convergence of crises this week—each exposing a different layer of systemic fragility. From airports overflowing with irate passengers to the rupee crashing through the symbolic 90-mark, and from the government’s hurried reversal on its Sanchar Saathi diktat to renewed whispers around PMO insider Hiren Joshi, the national landscape looks unsettled in more ways than one. This Wire Wrap unpacks these developments in a grounded, human, and analytical tone—placing them against the backdrop of governance challenges, accountability questions, and economic anxiety.
IndiGo’s Massive Cancellations: Duopoly Pain and Public Outrage
For four straight days, Indian airports resembled scenes of complete operational collapse. Thousands of flyers—families, students, elderly travellers, and business commuters—were stranded as IndiGo cancelled hundreds of flights, often with little information or assistance. While the airline cited “crew shortages” linked to new Flight Duty Time Limit (FDTL) regulations, the sheer scale of disruption suggests a deeper issue: the structural duopoly dominating India’s aviation market.
With IndiGo and Air India together controlling nearly 90% of the domestic market, competitive pressure is virtually non-existent. When one player falters, the entire system collapses like dominoes.
The public outrage was justified. Passengers spoke of being made to wait for 12 to 20 hours without accommodation or meals. Some travellers booked tickets at inflated prices on other carriers, only to face further delays. Others missed medical appointments, weddings, and even international connections.
But what fuelled anger more than anything was the perception that the government was hands-off, allowing private carriers to run roughshod over consumer rights. After years of weakening aviation watchdogs, shutting down competition, and pushing privatisation, critics argue that the government now lacks the tools—and perhaps the inclination—to discipline major airlines.
Was the Government Too Soft on IndiGo?
Many have asked why the government appeared reluctant to crack down. Complaints that the Ministry of Civil Aviation was “bowing to IndiGo” gained traction when:
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No immediate show-cause notice was issued
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Fares on other airlines skyrocketed unchecked
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Compensation norms were not enforced
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Passengers were told to “cooperate” with airlines
This perception of regulatory capture has deepened mistrust at a time when the public is already frustrated by rising costs and economic stress. It has also reignited the debate on India’s shrinking airline landscape—once vibrant but now reduced to two dominant players.
Sanchar Saathi U-Turn: A Policy Misstep or Pushback Victory?
In parallel to the aviation mess, the government found itself reversing another controversial move—its decision to mandate the pre-installation of the Sanchar Saathi cybersecurity app on all new smartphones.
The rationale was cybersecurity and protection from SIM fraud. But critics labelled it a surveillance gateway—another attempt at embedding state technology deep into citizens’ personal devices.
Smartphone manufacturers resisted, digital rights groups condemned it, and consumers expressed alarm. Under pressure, the government made a full U-turn, saying installation would be voluntary.
This quick withdrawal signals something important: public pressure still works, and the government is not immune to backlash—especially when decisions impact millions of everyday citizens.
Rupee at 90: A Psychological and Economic Blow
As travel chaos unfolded, the economic front brought more distressing news—the Indian rupee officially breached ₹90 per US dollar, its weakest position in history. Currency depreciation happens for many reasons, but this fall carries symbolic weight.
For a country projecting itself as the “world’s fastest growing major economy,” such a seismic devaluation forces uncomfortable questions:
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Is the Indian growth story weaker than advertised?
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Why are exports not rising despite a cheaper rupee?
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Why is foreign investment slowing?
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Is the IMF’s ‘C’ grade for India’s data credibility part of the reason global markets are cautious?
Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman has been on the defensive, but markets seem unconvinced. A ‘C’ grade from the IMF for national accounts statistics is not just a technical remark—it damages confidence, both domestic and international.
A falling rupee means inflationary pressure, costlier imports, rising fuel prices, and weakened household purchasing power. For middle-class Indians already burdened by job insecurity and high living costs, this depreciation feels like yet another tightening of the economic screws.
The Hiren Joshi Question: Silence, Return, and Speculation
Amid economic tension and public anger, another political story has gained traction—the curious case of Hiren Joshi, long-time communication strategist for the Prime Minister’s Office.
Reports suggested that Joshi was quietly sidelined without explanation, triggering speculation about internal discontent within the PMO. His sudden disappearance from major assignments raised eyebrows—especially given his proximity to the Prime Minister and his central role in digital messaging.
But what raised even more questions was the subsequent news that he may have been brought back into the fold.
Why the abrupt exit and reversal?
Political observers cite multiple possibilities:
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A fallout linked to digital propaganda networks
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Pressure from within the bureaucratic hierarchy
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Internal reshuffling within the PMO’s communication structure
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Strategic distancing due to ongoing controversies
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Or simply a routine personnel change misinterpreted by the media
Whatever the truth, the opaque nature of decision-making has once again highlighted the lack of transparency inside the government’s communication ecosystem.
For a government known for strong narrative control, this kind of internal turbulence becomes newsworthy in itself.
A Week That Revealed Cracks
Taken together, the aviation crisis, the Sanchar Saathi backlash, the rupee’s free fall, and the uncertainty surrounding key PMO personnel paint a picture of governance under strain.
This was a week where:
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Systems malfunctioned
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Public patience ran thin
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Markets sent warning signals
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The government struggled to project control
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Accountability questions grew sharper
India stands at a crossroads where strong institutions, transparent governance, and competitive markets are needed more than ever. Duopolies, opaque decision-making, and economic fragility only deepen the cracks.
Conclusion: The Citizens Deserve Better
Whether one looks at airports, the currency market, the smartphone ecosystem, or the PMO, one truth stands clear—India’s citizens deserve a more accountable, responsive, and robust system.
People waiting for 20 hours at terminals, households coping with costlier imports, or voters trying to understand political shake-ups all share one sentiment: they want clarity, fairness, and leadership that listens.
As India charts its path forward, this week’s crises should serve not as isolated events but as mirrors reflecting deeper structural issues. And unless those issues are addressed head-on, turbulence—economic, political, and institutional—will remain the norm.
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