Sikh Actor Says He Was Barred From Boarding U.S.-Bound Plane Over Turban

Popular Sikh actor Waris Ahluwalia said on Monday that he was barred from boarding an Aero Mexico flight bound for New York City after refusing to remove his turban for security personnel.

Ahluwalia, who has appeared in 17 movies, including The Darjeeling Limited, The Grand Budapest Hotel and Inside Man, posted an image on Instagram stating: “This morning in Mexico City I was told I could not board my @aeromexico flight to NYC because of my turban.”

The actor told the New York Daily News he could not remove his turban in an airport.

“That is not something that I would do in public,” he told the newspaper. “That’s akin to asking someone to take off their clothes.”

Ahluwalia missed the Aero Mexico flight leaving at 7:15 a.m. for New York City, where he lives. 

 

This morning in Mexico City I was told I could not board my @aeromexico flight to NYC because of my turban. #FearisanOpportunitytoEducate #humanrights #dignity #lovenotfear

A photo posted by Waris Ahluwalia (@houseofwaris) on Feb 8, 2016 at 5:58am PST