Airline Denies Sikh Actor Waris Ahluwalia Entry Because of Turban

Waris Ahluwalia was allegedly denied entry into an Aeromexico plane because of his appearance and attire.

US-based actor and designer Waris Ahluwalia. (Photo Courtesy: Waris Ahluwalia’s Instagram Account)

A US-based actor and designer of Indian origin, Waris Ahluwalia, was allegedly denied entry into an Aeromexico flight because of his appearance and attire, leading to accusations of racism.

Ahluwalia, who is the founder of design company ‘House of Waris’ posted a picture of himself on Instagram reporting this incident.

Ahluwalia, 41, based in Manhattan, said he checked in at the Aeromexico airline’s counter at Mexico City’s international airport about 5:30 am on Monday. He was given his first-class boarding pass with code ‘SSSS’, which he said meant that he needed secondary security screening.

When Ahluwalia showed up at the gate to board Flight 408 to New York City, attendants told him that he needed to step aside and wait for other passengers to board.

His feet and bag were searched and swabbed. He was told to remove his sweatshirt and was patted down, New York Times reported. He was also asked to take off his turban, which he declined to do. Ahluwalia was then told by Aeromexico staff that he would not be boarding the flight.

The airline later released a statement defending their stance.

The airline, however, is required to meet the federal safety requirements outlined by the US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) for review of selected passengers travelling to the United States. The airline regrets any inconvenience any passenger could perceive due to the application of these procedures.

<b>Statement, </b><b>Aeromexico</b>

Ahluwalia also posted a photo on Instagram saying he was still stuck in Mexico City.

Ahluwalia who was born in Amritsar has also acted in the Oscar-winning movie The Grand Budapest Hotel.

He was also the first Sikh man to become part of the Gap ad campaign in the United States, but the posters of the ad were defaced in an act of racial bigotry in 2013.

(With inputs from PTI.)