Sonu Nigam defends concert, says Jet suspending crew is intolerance - Hindustan Times
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Sonu Nigam defends concert, says Jet suspending crew is intolerance

Hindustan Times | By, New Delhi
Feb 05, 2016 02:31 PM IST

Sonu Nigam has lashed out at Jet Airways for grounding its staff which let him perform mid-air. Social media also supported the singer while many thought the airline’s action, at the behest of DGCA was justified.

Sonu Nigam defended his performance mid-air on Friday even as Jet Airways grounded five crew members for allowing the Bollywood singer to perform over the in-flight announcement system. The airline decision also prompted a social media backlash.

Sonu Nigam’s in-flight concert prompted Jet Airways to ground the entire cabin crew of the flight. The singer has defended his impromptu performance while calling the airline’s decision ‘real intolerance’.(HT Photo)
Sonu Nigam’s in-flight concert prompted Jet Airways to ground the entire cabin crew of the flight. The singer has defended his impromptu performance while calling the airline’s decision ‘real intolerance’.(HT Photo)

The temporary suspension of the crew comes after a video showing singer Sonu Nigam’s impromptu performance last month went viral, prompting an investigation by authorities.

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An online grab of Sonu Nigam performing while aboard a flight to Mumbai.
An online grab of Sonu Nigam performing while aboard a flight to Mumbai.

“This act lack of common sense according to me is real intolerance,” Nigam told NDTV, “I have witnessed an elaborate fashion show in an aircraft... I have seen pilots and crew members cracking humorous jokes to loosen up passengers in other countries which is so cool,” he said.

The singer added, “To suspend crew members for asking me to sing on the address system, when the seat belt signs were off, and no announcements were to be made, is nothing less than punishing someone for spreading happiness.”

Read: Jet crew grounded for letting Sonu Nigam sing mid-air

The video showed the celebrity singer crooning to chart-topping Bollywood songs with other passengers joining in on a chartered flight from the western city of Jodhpur to Mumbai on January 4. Following its probe, government officials asked the airline to take action against the cabin crew for violating regulations and misusing the in-flight announcement system.

“All cabin crew on the flight have been taken off from flight duty for enquiry and corrective training to reinforce strict adherence to operating procedures,” a Jet Airways spokesman said in a statement.

The crew’s suspension was trending in India on Friday with Twitter users lashing out at the authorities for suspending the crew.

“Never knew Sonu Nigam would be such a bad music to ears of Jet Airways. Suspending 5 lovely ladies for good sense of music.. Seriously??,” user Yashwant Deshmukh tweeted.

“Wah! He made the passengers smile.. and jet airways suspended the crew.. great!! Get well soon Jet Airways,” tweeted Sana Sheikh.

However, many netizens supported the carrier’s decision, saying such actions could jeopardise flight safety.

“I’m glad @jetairways has suspended [its] crew for allowing Sonu Nigam to ‘misuse’ the announcement system. It is unacceptable & dangerous,” tweeted Tehseen Poonawalla. Others, meanwhile, had plenty of smart quips to share.

(With inputs from AFP)

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