On July 15, 2025, India witnessed a heated political debate when Congress leader Udit Raj stirred controversy by questioning the selection of Shubhanshu Shukla for the Axiom-4 space mission, suggesting that a Dalit or OBC candidate should have been chosen instead. The remarks came just as Shukla, India’s first astronaut to reach the International Space Station (ISS), prepared for his return to Earth after an 18-day historic journey aboard Axiom’s Dragon spacecraft ‘Grace’.

In a statement to news agency ANI, Udit Raj alleged that caste bias played a role in the selection of the astronaut. “When Rakesh Sharma was sent earlier, SC, ST, OBC communities were not as educated. But now, it’s their turn. It’s not like NASA conducted a merit-based exam,” he said. “Any Dalit or OBC candidate could have been chosen instead of Shukla ji.”

This statement quickly escalated into a national political issue. Critics accused Raj of injecting caste-based politics into India’s space achievements, while supporters argued that his comments highlight a deeper, ongoing concern — the lack of representation of marginalized communities in high-profile scientific and nationalistic missions.

Shubhanshu Shukla, born in Lucknow in 1985, is a decorated Indian Air Force officer with over 2,000 hours of combat flying experience. He was selected in 2019 for ISRO’s Gaganyaan programme, eventually becoming India’s astronaut for the Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission, an international commercial mission launched in collaboration with NASA and SpaceX.

Shukla flew to the ISS alongside mission commander Peggy Whitson, Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski of Poland, and Tibor Kapu of Hungary. The mission cost around Rs. 550 crore and is considered a key precursor to India’s upcoming Gaganyaan human spaceflight in 2027.

Despite the scientific accomplishment and national pride, Udit Raj’s remarks have fueled a caste-based controversy, questioning whether India’s space programme is truly inclusive. His comments were in line with his longstanding demand for greater Dalit and OBC representation in national-level appointments, especially in areas like science, defence, and technology.

Raj also added, “I congratulate Shukla for the achievement. But it’s important that opportunities also reach the socially disadvantaged. South India has produced many OBC scientists who have contributed immensely. Yet, they are not recognized.”

Reactions to his comments have been mixed. Many on social media and in political circles argued that spaceflight selection must be based solely on expertise, training, and merit, particularly in high-risk domains like astronautics. Others supported Raj’s point, stating that structural inequalities still exist and that systematic underrepresentation needs to be addressed in both civilian and military space programmes.

While Congress has not issued an official response, sources suggest that Udit Raj's views are personal and not necessarily reflective of the party's official stance. Meanwhile, BJP leaders criticized the statement, calling it a distraction from a historic national moment.

Amid the controversy, Shubhanshu Shukla continues to be hailed by scientists and citizens alike for his discipline, technical expertise, and contribution to India's rising stature in global space exploration. His successful participation in Axiom-4, where he performed microgravity experiments and Earth observations, is expected to provide valuable data to ISRO’s future space missions, particularly Gaganyaan.

His return journey began at 4:45 PM IST on July 14, when the Dragon spacecraft undocked from the ISS. The crew was set to land in the Pacific Ocean near San Diego after a 22.5-hour journey. With this, Shukla became the second Indian to travel into space, after Rakesh Sharma’s legendary flight in 1984.

As the political storm brews, experts suggest this moment should prompt constructive national dialogue about how India can balance meritocracy with inclusivity, particularly in elite institutions and programmes.

India's space programme, long considered a symbol of national pride and scientific progress, now finds itself at the center of a larger sociopolitical debate. While Shukla's journey is undeniably historic, Udit Raj’s remarks force the nation to reflect on whether equal access and representation truly exist in India’s corridors of excellence.

This latest development adds another layer to India’s evolving space diplomacy, caste politics, and national identity. As India advances toward its 2027 Gaganyaan mission, it remains to be seen how institutions respond to calls for greater inclusivity — and whether individual brilliance like that of Shukla can coexist with systemic reforms that address long-standing inequalities.

In the broader picture, this episode will likely influence future policy-making, representation debates, and narratives surrounding science and social equity in India. Whether this becomes a stepping stone for deeper reforms or a momentary flashpoint remains to be seen. For now, the nation watches as Shubhanshu Shukla returns to Earth, carrying the hopes of a billion people — and the weight of an ongoing national debate.

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