On September 1, at about 8:30pm, Tandeep Singh of Chennai decided to take his first ride on the metro with a lot of enthusiasm. Singh has lived in Chennai for most of his life, and he writes on his FB page, “Now I may not look like it, but I'm a true blue Chennaiite (Madarasi to most of India).” A new Metro in town was exciting.
As soon as he stepped in for security check after buying his tickets, he Singh says he was in for a rude shock. The security guard went after his turban asking that it be removed for a check, says Singh.
Speaking to The News Minute, Singh says that the guard at the Vadapalani station repeatedly asked him to remove his turban, even after Singh told him that he cannot ask him to do that, and that the turban was sacred. The guard reportedly also said that those were the instructions given to them. “I had to be quite stern with him. I asked him to get the supervisor. The he relented and let me go,” says Singh.
Recounting his experience on his Facebook pages, Singh says,
“I don't blame the security guy for this instance, it is nothing but pure ignorance. CMRL you are at fault here, you need to educate your staff more about such issues. I was in two minds to throw a raging fit there and make a scene. I refrained from doing so, because that is what my culture, my faith teaches me to do. To be patient and understanding with the ignorant.”
Singh is not angry, but he is concerned. He says that he says the he does not blame the guard, who could have been unaware of Sikh practices, but more awareness needs to be created. “I am thinking that I will raise this with the Sikh community in Chennai so that we can raise awareness. This is not the first time it is happening with us. I love the city, it’s home,” he says.
“I request you to look into this matter and educate your staff,” Singh told CMRL.
The News Minute informed the Chennai Metro Rail Ltd. about the issue. Soon after, the CMRL contacted Singh to apologise to him. An official of CMRL said they were sorry that this happened and that they will look into the issue.
CMRL has not responded to the queries of The News Minute yet.