Sikh actor barred from boarding plane because of his turban now refusing to fly home until three demands are met

  • Waris Ahluwalia, 41, who appeared in The Grand Budapest Hotel, was scheduled to fly from Mexico City to New York City Monday morning
  • He was banned from boarding plane for wearing article of faith
  • Ahluwalia said screeners asked him to remove his turban, but he refused
  • He is now refusing to leave Mexico City airport, asking for three demands
  • Ahluwalia wants an apology from AeroMexico, Sikh awareness training for airport security, and training to screen passengers with religious items
  • AeroMexico spokesperson said in email to Daily Mail airline regretted causing 'any inconvenience'  
  • In 2013, Ahluwalia, who is also a model and jewelry designer, became first Sikh man to appear in ad campaign for GAP 

The Sikh actor and model who said he was barred from boarding an AeroMexico flight on Monday because he was wearing a turban is now refusing to leave Mexico City airport until a list of demands are met.

Waris Ahluwalia, 41 - who has appeared in the Wes Anderson films The Grand Budapest Hotel, The Darjeeling Limited and The Life Aquatic - says he was stopped trying to board a flight to New York for fashion week.

Ahluwalia wrote on his Instagram account that AeroMexico staff told him he would have to fly a more 'inclusive' airline when he refused to remove the article of faith while going through security.

He has now refused to board another flight until a list of demands - the first being an apology - are met, in an attempt to stop this happening to another Sikh passenger.

Offensive: Sikh actor and model Waris Ahluwalia claims he was barred from boarding an AeroMexico flight bound for New York Monday because of his traditional turban 

Offensive: Sikh actor and model Waris Ahluwalia claims he was barred from boarding an AeroMexico flight bound for New York Monday because of his traditional turban 

The demands: In a tweet by the Sikh Coalition, Ahluwalia asked for 'a public apology from AeroMexico, Sikh awareness training for airport security, and training on how to screen passengers with religious headwear'

The demands: In a tweet by the Sikh Coalition, Ahluwalia asked for 'a public apology from AeroMexico, Sikh awareness training for airport security, and training on how to screen passengers with religious headwear'

Speaking with The Washington Post on Monday night, he said: 'I realize that this isn't about my convenience or getting home for lunch today. I realize that if I walk away, somebody else was going to go through this experience again.'

He added: 'It doesn't feel like a choice I can make. I don't think I can just get on that plane.'

The non-profit advocacy group The Sikh Coalition tweeted a poster with Ahluwalia's demands.

They are 'a public apology from AeroMexico, Sikh awareness training for airport security, and training on how to screen passengers with religious headwear'.

The incident started when Ahluwalia posted a photo of himself to Instagram with the caption: 'This morning in Mexico City I was told I could not board my @aeromexico flight to NYC because of my turban. #FearisanOpportuntytoEducate #humanright #dignity #lovenotfear.'

Within two hours, Ahluwalia' message had drawn more than 650 'likes' and close to 140 comments, with most of the users blasting the Mexican airline for discrimination.

A commenter who goes by the handle @alevogelc wrote: 'I'm sorry for what happened, I really apologize on behalf of all the ignorant people of @aeromexico, but don't worry you got our support! sending you love from Mexico.'

Ahluwalia, 41, pictured left posing in Mexico City International Airport, says security personnel prohibited him from getting on the plane after he refused to remove his article of faith in public
Actor Waris Ahluwalia attends the Beeba Boys premiere during day six of the 12th annual Dubai International Film Festival held at the Madinat Jumeriah Complex on December 14, 2015 in Dubai

Ahluwalia, 41, pictured left posing in Mexico City International Airport, says security personnel prohibited him from getting on the plane after he refused to remove his article of faith in public 

Another Instagram user @tacirupekajaro stated: 'The [Mexican] government has a campaign to portray us as #mexicoglobal but we will never be such if public and private companies perpetuate #racism inside and outside.' 

In a statement to Daily Mail Monday afternoon, AeroMexico acknowledged that the actor was not permitted to board the flight, having refused to undergo a security screening.  

'About the situation of passenger Waris Ahluwalia, Aeromexico reports that he was asked to submit to screening and inspection before boarding, in strict compliance with TSA protocol.

'We have offered the passenger to alternatives to reach his destination as soon as possible.

'We sincerely regret any inconvenience caused by this incident.' 

Ahluwalia's plane ticket, seen in his Instagram selfie, shows that the actor was scheduled to travel first class on board AeroMexico Flight 404 from Mexico City to New York City at around 7am Monday.

The code 'SSSS' on the face of the ticket indicates that Ahluwalia had been randomly pre-selected for a secondary security screening.

Wes Anderson's muse: Ahluwalia appeared in Wes Anderson's 2007 film The Darjeeling Limited, which takes place in his native India 

Wes Anderson's muse: Ahluwalia appeared in Wes Anderson's 2007 film The Darjeeling Limited, which takes place in his native India 

In good company: The Sikh actor (far right) also had a role in Anderson's The Life Aquatic starring Bill Murray (center) and Anjelica Huston (right of Murray)

In good company: The Sikh actor (far right) also had a role in Anderson's The Life Aquatic starring Bill Murray (center) and Anjelica Huston (right of Murray)

According to his recent Instagram posts, Ahluwalia jetted off to Mexico City five days ago for a vacation after an extended stay in Thailand.

Speaking to the New York Daily News on Monday morning, Ahluwalia recounted how security personnel at Mexico City International Airport initially searched his bag, swabbed him for explosives residue and patted down his feet.

The actor initially complied with the security agents' demands but refused to remove his turban in front of other passengers - an act he likened to having to strip naked in public - and asked to be taken to a private screening area.

That is when Ahluwalia said he was informed by the airport staff: 'you will not be flying AeroMexico. You will need to book another flight.' The 41-year-old actor and model said he was stunned, especially since the airline had offered to fly him first class earlier. 

In 2013, posters featuring Ahluwalia as part of a holiday ad campaign for GAP were defaced with racist graffiti in New York 

In 2013, posters featuring Ahluwalia as part of a holiday ad campaign for GAP were defaced with racist graffiti in New York 

Ahluwalia, who is also a successful jewelry designer with the New York-based House of Waris, later posted another selife from the airport along with a message that read: 'Dear NYC fashion week. I may be a little late as @aeromexico won't let me fly with a turban. Don't start the show without me. 

This is not the first time that Ahluwalia has been targeted because of his faith.

In 2013, he became the first Sikh man to appear in an advertising campaign for GAP. A short time later, several billboards featuring Ahluwalia sporting a beard and turban were vandalized with racist graffiti.

The slogan for the national retailer's holiday campaign was 'Make Love' but one person scrawled over a poster that appeared in The Bronx, 'Make Bombs.'

The offensive scribbles also included the line: 'Please stop driving taxis!' 

 

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