Manu Bhaker alleges of harrsement by Air India employees, demands action
Manu Bhaker is an Indian Olympian who specialises in airgun shooting. She is a 13-time gold medallist and the youngest to win gold during the ISSF World Cup. She is also the youngest Indian shooter to win a gold at the Commonwealth Games, at 16.
FollowIndian shooter and Olympian, Manu Bhaker has alleged that a couple of Air India employees had insulted her while boarding a flight from Delhi to Bhopal. The incident happened on Friday evening, as she eventually boarded the flight after sports minister Kiren Rijiju intervened.
Although Manu thanked Rijiju for his assistance, she has demanded action against the two AI employees. Meanwhile, AI apologised for its staff's conduct, besides stating that they were demanding valid documents form her for the weapons she was carrying on board.
"They can be held accountable for the harassment and insult I endured as trying to save their officials (Manoj Gupta and another security person of the airline) will only further damage Air India's reputation. Air India is now claiming that they were just asking for documents and doing their job, but I am sure everything was captured by the CCTV cameras. You can check. They snatched my mobile and deleted the picture, which my mother clicked, as the harassment went on," she told PTI.
"They refused to recognise even DGCA and when I told them that I travel frequently with my ammunition and that I am a shooter who is going to represent India in Olympics, they said 'whether you play in nationals or Olympics it doesn't matter to us'. Their conduct was unacceptable. I mean, at least give some respect to athletes and don't insult them every now and then. The main problem was not money, but his behaviour. The ministry takes care of all our expenses," she added.
Bhaker first brought the incident to light on Twitter, in a series of tweets, where she pronounced, "Not allowing me to board flight AI 437 at IGI Delhi and asking now ₹10,200 Despite all valid Documentation and DGCA permit. Top of that Manoj Gupta Air India in charge and other staff is humiliating me despite I have 2 guns and ammunition."
"Think this type behaviour is not acceptable. Manoj Gupta is not even human. He is treating me like I am a criminal. Also his security in charge. Such people need basic training of behaviour. Hopefully, Aviation ministry will find out & will send him to right place. Top of that Manoj Gupta Air India in charge doesn't recognise DGCA. Shall I pay this Bribes or!!!!" she added.
"If you @airindiain will try to save culprits Manoj Gupta and that security person, who’s pic I shared, you will further damage reputation of Air India. They even snatched my mobile and deliberately deleted pic which my mother snap during harassment. I hope @HardeepSPuri sir," she further wrote in another tweet.
Nonetheless, AI delivered an apology on Twitter, where it stated, "Ma'am we are really sorry that you have faced inconvenience while travelling with us. We request you to kindly share details of the issue along with your contact details over DM for us to assist you."
"Dear Ms Bhaker, our Delhi Airport team has confirmed that the official at our counter had only sought for valid documents as per rules for carriage of your weapon on board," it added in another tweet.
Nonetheless, Manu later thanked the ones who helped her out through this inconvenience, as she sent out another tweet, which read, "Thank you every one and all who help me. Especially who made my boarding possible. Few also think maybe one-sided and I got undue advantage. Sport ministry bears all my expense spent by me in any form. Very clear if I had to pay for any wrong or right reason, it’s Govt money."
Manu is one of the prospects for the upcoming Tokyo Olympics for India. She would represent the side in airgun shooting as she eyes her maiden Olympic medal.
