Sikh Canadian minister asked to take off turban at Detroit airport, US regrets
Canada minister Navdeep Bains was leaving Detroit in April 2017 when airport security officers asked him to remove the turban. He declined on religious grounds.
US officials have apologised to Canada after cabinet minister Navdeep Bains, a practising Sikh, went through a humiliating security procedure at an American airport in which he was asked to remove his turban.
While the incident took place in April 2017, the Canadian minister of innovation, science and economic development spoke about it only recently in an interview with the French language publication La Presse.
Bains was travelling back from the US after meeting the Governor of Michigan when he was stopped at the Detroit Metro Airport.
He told media at an event in Toronto on Thursday that he had passed the metal detector test and there was a “challenge” while undergoing a swab test, but after that was repeated, he was allowed to go through.
However, a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) official summoned him back again from the gate, stating proper protocol had not been followed as Bains had not removed his turban. He declined on religious grounds.
At that point, the minister showed them his diplomatic passport and was allowed to proceed. “Once they realised my position, who I was, I was ultimately allowed to fly. I understand how airport security is but proper process needs to be followed,” he said.
Bains described the incident as “very frustrating” and “unnecessary”. He said the issue “speaks to discrimination” and it was the first time that’s happened to him.
His displeasure was communicated to US authorities, and Bains said, “I was fortunate to be in this position to raise this with my counterparts in the US. They obviously regret what happened, they apologised and I accept that apology.”
In a statement released on Thursday by assistant press secretary Michelle Negron, TSA said it reviewed security videos and found the officer checking Bains didn’t follow procedure and has since received training. The written statement did not include an apology.
“We regret the screening experience did not meet the expectations of Mr. Bains,” the agency said. “When possible, passengers may remove non-formfitting headwear before proceeding through the security checkpoint. We recognize that passengers may be unable or unwilling to remove items for religious, medical, or other reasons, and should expect to undergo additional screening protocols.”
While Bains’ status prevented the situation from escalating further, it raises concerns about the predicament facing ordinary Sikhs passing through airport checkpoints.
The section on security screening at the TSA website includes procedures for pat-down checks. It states, “A pat-down may include inspection of the head, neck, arms, torso, legs, and feet.This includes head coverings and sensitive areas such as breasts, groin, and the buttocks.”
Canada’s foreign minister Chrystia Freeland said officials from her department had raised the matter with the US.
“I thought it was important for us to support Mr Bains, and frankly to support all Canadians travelling across the border,” national broadcaster CBC quoted her as saying.
This isn’t the first time a prominent Sikh has faced additional screening at an American airport and been ordered to remove their turban. In 2016, Canadian comedian Jasmeet Singh had to undergo such a search at San Francisco airport. In 2010, Hardeep Puri, then India’s permanent representative to the United Nations and now a minister in the Narendra Modi government, faced such an affront at Houston airport. (With agency inputs)