Harbhajan Singh impact: Jet Airways suspends pilot over racism claim
Jet Airways confirmed the incident took place on April 3 on a Chandigarh-Mumbai flight, adding the pilot was taken off the flying roster soon after and an apology extended to the victim. Harbhajan Singh’s tweet slamming the incident brought it into public attention
Jet Airways said on Wednesday it had suspended a foreign pilot from flying duty over allegations that he assaulted a woman and hurled racist abuse at another passenger on a domestic flight.
Cricketer Harbhajan Singh, who is currently playing for Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League, has weighed in on the scandal, although he clarified that he had not witnessed the incident firsthand.
The Mumbai-based airline confirmed the incident took place on April 3 on a Chandigarh-Mumbai flight, adding the pilot in question had been taken off the flying roster soon after and an apology had been extended to the victim.
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“As regards the said incident, Jet Airways has noted guest feedback with concern and regrets the incident,” Jet Airways said in a statement Wednesday.
“The airline has, as per policy, initiated a full-fledged investigations, based on specific inputs from guests, concerned departments and agencies.”
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Earlier in the day, Harbhajan Singh had tweeted, hitting hard on the pilot and Jet Airways.
“Not only was he racist, but physically assaulted a lady and abused a physically challenged man... absolutely disgraceful and shame on @jetairways,” said Harbhajan on Twitter, urging Prime Minister Narendra Modi to reprimand the airline and its pilot.
Scandals have dogged the airline industry in recent weeks, particularly in the US after United Airlines drew global outrage for forcefully dragging a passenger off an overbooked flight.
Footage of the April 9 incident captured by fellow passengers went viral on social media and caused a public relations calamity for the carrier and airport officials.