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Waris Ahluwalia was kicked off his flight for wearing a turban. Picture: Stefania D'Alessandro/Getty Images
A NEW York actor, model and designer has slammed Aeromexico, after it barred him from boarding his flight bound for the United States, because he wouldn’t remove his turban during a security screening.
Waris Ahluwalia, who follows the Sikh religion and wears a turban for religious reasons, posted an image to his Instagram, with the hashtag #FearisanOpportunitytoEducate
Mr Ahluwalia, who checked in to the flight at Mexico City’s international terminal about 5.30am on Monday, received his boarding pass and a code which instructed he needed secondary screening.
The actor, who was bound for New York, was reportedly asked to step aside and allow other passengers to pass before he could board the flight.
After being patted down, Mr Ahluwalia was asked to remove his turban by security staff.
“I responded matter-of-factly that I won’t be taking off my turban,†Mr Ahluwalia said in an interview on Monday afternoon with the New York Times.
“And then they talked among themselves and they said, ‘OK, then you are not getting on the flight’. â€
Mr Ahluwalia said removing his turban put him in to an uncomfortable position during the security check.
“It is a symbol of my faith,†Mr Ahluwalia said. “That is not something that I would do in public,†he added when speaking with the New York Daily News.
“That’s akin to asking someone to take off their clothes.â€
The 41-year-old, who was making his way back for New York Fashion Week, said he was told by airline security that he was not allowed to board any other Aeromexico flights until he met security demands, as outlined in the Transportation Security Administration protocol.
In a statement released by the airline on Monday, Aeromexico said it had offered Mr Ahluwalia alternatives to “reach his destination as soon as possible,†and that it apologised for any inconvenience caused.
Mr Ahluwalia, who grew up in Brooklyn, is a jewellery designer based in Manhattan. He is a frequent collaborator with director Wes Anderson. He has appeared in three of Anderson’s feature films — The Life Aquatic, The Darjeeling Limited and The Grand Budapest Hotel — as well as short film The Hotel Chevalier and an American Express commercial the quirky auteur directed.
Waris Ahluwalia appeared in Wes Anderson’s Grand Budapest Hotel. Picture: YouTubeSource:YouTube
Mr Ahluwalia made headlines in 2013, when he was the first Sikh man to appear in a national Gap campaign.
When the ad appeared across New York, the billboards were vandalised with racist graffiti and abusive comments.
Waris Ahluwalia was recently nominated as the Best Supporting Actor by the 2016 Canadian Screen Awards. Picture: Ben Hider/Invision/APSource:AP
About five hours after the incident occurred, and after he was told he couldn’t board another flight and that his bag would be removed, Mr Ahluwalia said he contacted the Sikh Coalition.
Sikh men wear their turban as a symbol of commitment to equality and social justice.
This incident highlighted some of the embarrassing encounters that men with beards, women with headwear and other religious coverings endure at airport security.
Mr Ahluwalia said this was not the first time his turban had caused concern — he has been questioned in the United States and around the world — but this was the first time he was ever stopped from boarding a flight.