Air India did not issue any Gag Order

May 26, 2010

A section of the media has been reporting continuously that Air India had issued a “gag order” which restrains employees from airing their views to the media.

In this connection, Air India would like to state categorically that an office order issued by the airline in July 2009 is being misinterpreted by some sections of the employees with some ulterior motives.

The office order issued on 2nd July 2009, says ….. quote “It has been observed that certain employees of the company holding positions as office bearers of Unions/Association/Guilds, are freely airing views in the media which are having a direct bearing on company’s image and revenues. As channels of communication exist in the company for these bodies to voice their grievances, all concerned employees are advised to desist from going public with their statements that have the potential of harming company’s revenue earning prospects.

Any employee violating these norms will render himself liable for disciplinary action.” Unquote

Order upheld by Mumbai High Court

The Aviation Industry Employees Guild challenged this order as being violative of their fundamental rights to freedom of speech.

The Hon’ble Judges of High Court at Mumbai (WP No. 1616 of 2009) in their order said …..quote “the impugned Office Order is not in conflict with the fundamental rights of the petitioners”; and therefore advised “to desist from going public with their statements that have the potential of harming the company’s revenue earning prospects.” Unquote.

The above referred office order was only reiterated on 24th May 2010. It is a matter of regret that one of the leading dailies from the Capital has interpreted a routine administrative order of a Company – and one upheld by the High Court of Bombay - as a “Gag order”.

Air India, being a National Carrier, is fully committed to upholding the fundamental rights of citizens enshrined in the Constitution of India. The airlines hopes that the above clarification will set at rest any misgivings that members of the fourth estate may have about the issue.