North American Punjabi Association (NAPA) through its Executive Director, Satnam Singh Chahal, has strongly condemned the discriminatory and humiliating treatment faced by Tamil-origin Sikh and Bahujan Dravida Party President, Jeevan Kumar Ilayaperumal (popularly known as Jeevan Singh), at Delhi airport on Wednesday morning.
According to Jeevan Singh, while checking in for his flight to Singapore at the Air India International Counter No. 5, he was subjected to objectionable remarks and offensive questioning by a ground staff member who was not even displaying an ID card. The staff allegedly mocked his identity by asking, “Your address is in Tamil Nadu, but why are you wearing a Sikh turban?” and further cast doubts on whether the face on the passport matched his identity.
Satnam Singh Chahal stated that such an incident is “deeply disturbing, unacceptable, and a direct violation of human dignity and religious freedom.” He emphasized that every Indian citizen, irrespective of region, religion, caste, or culture, has the constitutional right to preserve and display their identity without facing harassment or humiliation.
“This incident is not only an insult to Jeevan Singh as an individual but also a dangerous reflection of intolerance against diverse identities in India. Such acts create mistrust and fear among minority communities and tarnish the image of India at the global level,” said Chahal.
NAPA has urged the Government of India, the Ministry of Civil Aviation, and Air India authorities to take immediate action against those responsible, ensure accountability, and guarantee that no such discriminatory incident happens again.
“We demand a public apology from Air India and strict disciplinary measures against the concerned staff. Protecting the dignity and rights of every citizen, including minorities, is essential for safeguarding India’s democratic values,” added Chahal.
NAPA also appealed to civil society, human rights organizations, and Sikh as well as Bahujan communities worldwide to raise their voices against such prejudiced behavior and to work collectively for a more inclusive and respectful society.