Indian ISS Astronaut’s Return Spurs Caste Row in New Delhi

Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla returned safely to Earth on Tuesday after an 18-day stint aboard the International Space Station, becoming the first Indian astronaut to live and work on the orbital outpost. The Axiom-4 crew’s Dragon capsule splashed down in the Pacific Ocean off the California coast, capping a privately organised mission that space analysts say will bolster India’s own human-spaceflight ambitions, including ISRO’s Gaganyaan programme. Shukla’s achievement quickly became embroiled in domestic politics. Congress leader Udit Raj argued that the flight opportunity should have gone to a Dalit or Other Backward Class candidate, noting that NASA had not conducted an open examination for the seat. His comments drew a sharp rebuke from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party; spokesperson Gourav Vallabh said the opposition was “indulging in caste and religion-based politics when the entire nation is filled with pride.” The controversy has overshadowed India’s milestone in human spaceflight, though officials at ISRO say Shukla’s mission experience will be valuable as the agency prepares to send its own astronauts into orbit. Neither NASA nor Axiom Space has commented on the political dispute.