Sri Akal Takht Sahib Jathedar flays discrimination against Tamil Sikh advocate at Delhi airport

PTC Web Desk:  Sri Akal Takht Sahib’s acting Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj has strongly condemned the alleged discrimination and humiliating behaviour faced by Tamil Sikh and Supreme Court lawyer Jeevan Singh at New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport by Air India staff.

He expressed deep concern that such an incident has taken place at a time when the nation is commemorating the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib, who laid down his life for religious freedom and human rights. “This incident has deeply hurt the sentiments of Sikhs living across India and abroad,” Gargarj said.

The case 

A Sikh Supreme Court advocate Jeevan Singh, formerly known as Jeevan Kumar Illayaperumal, has accused Air India staff at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport of subjecting him to discrimination and humiliation during check-in for an international flight. The alleged incident took place on the morning of September 24, between 7.45 am and 8.30 am, at the airline’s international counter No. 5 while Singh was preparing to board a flight from New Delhi to Singapore.

According to Singh, after he handed his passport to a ground staff member identified as Stuti, she questioned whether the photograph matched his face and asked why, if he belonged to Tamil Nadu, he was wearing a Sikh turban. Singh said her ID card was not visible during the exchange.

He alleged that the situation escalated when Mukesh, the officer-in-charge, intervened. Singh claims he was subjected to a series of discriminatory and humiliating questions in front of over 100 passengers. These reportedly included: “Why are you going to Singapore?” “How much money do you have in hand? Show your bank account details.” “Why are you wearing a turban?” “Why are you black?” “From which caste did you become a Sikh?”

Despite showing additional proof of identity, including his voter ID card, Singh said his boarding pass was withheld until he asserted his rights as a practising Supreme Court lawyer.

In his statement, Singh argued that airline staff had no legal authority to question his religion, caste, appearance, or financial background. He said the incident amounted to public harassment, discrimination on the basis of identity, and a violation of his fundamental rights under Articles 14, 15, 19, and 21 of the Constitution.

While Air India has issued a written apology via email to Jeevan Singh and Delhi-based advocate Neena Singh, the Jathedar said this did not absolve the airline of its responsibility. He demanded that Air India make its internal inquiry report public in the interest of transparency and clearly disclose what action has been taken against the staff members involved.

Gargarj further highlighted that cases of discrimination against Sikh identity and articles of faith have been on the rise. He recalled previous incidents, including a recent case in Rajasthan where an Amritdhari Sikh girl was barred from appearing in a Jodhpur High Court judicial exam due to her articles of faith, and several instances of Sikh children being forced to remove their kada (iron bracelet). He also criticised the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security for not withdrawing its circular prohibiting Amritdhari employees from carrying a kirpan inside airports, despite strong opposition from Sikh organisations.

“These actions clearly show that governments lack a serious approach towards Sikh identity, faith, and articles of religion,” he said.

Calling upon the Sikh community worldwide, the Jathedar urged collective resistance against any discrimination targeting Sikh identity. He also appealed to the Central Government to ensure that such incidents are not repeated and directed the Ministry of Home Affairs to issue nationwide guidelines protecting Sikh rights. He stressed that any violation must attract strict legal action against the culprits.