After seeing the number reactions and news updates about a story he shared in his Instagram handle, actor Siddharth came up with a long post in his official Instagram handle, explaining about the entire incident that took place at Madurai airport. Siddharth said that the CISF officials who were at the airport behaved rudely to himself and his parents. The higher most official apologized to him only after recognizing him as an actor. The actor expressed his concern over how common people, especially the elders are being treated at the airports in daily manner.

“Thank you for all the concern and support sent our way. Since the Airport incident, I have been receiving many messages from people sharing their own experiences. I’ve also been contacted by several media houses. I felt it better to explain my experience here. I would rather throw light on the problem than myself. The unnecessary attention will only upset my family further” Siddharth started his post.

“I have flown out of Madurai Airport dozens of times and I have never had even a moment of difficulty or discomfort in the past. I was travelling with my family this time. Three elders, two young children, and a few adults. The airport was empty and we went to clear security well before our boarding time. The security line was also empty and we were the only passengers going through at the time” he said.

“The CISF individual who sat behind glass kept scrutinising our IDs repeatedly including the children’s passports. He then looked at my face and Adhaar card and shouted “yeh tum ho?” When I told him it was me and asked him why he asked me that question when my ID looks exactly like do, he said he had doubts. Then the next individual shouted at us asking “Hindi samajhte hain na?” And before we answered, rudely went on that he would throw out any ipad or phones that he found.” After my bag cleared, he then took out my earphones and threw them on the tray. I told him that at various airports we have lost electronics like earphones and apple pencils and even phones left on the tray and have been advised to avoid keeping them on the tray because of theft. To which we were told that this is Madurai and these are the rules” Siddharth wrote.

“I told them we had elders in the group so they can be gentle with them. They then flagged my mother’s purse and asked her if she had any coins in it. She said that she did. They then told her to remove all the coins from her purse. When I asked them why that was needed as currency coins are both allowed and clearly seen in the sanner, they replied in India it is the rule that we must remove whatever they ask us to remove. I told them it was unfair to make someone over 70 empty their purse like this. I also asked if something was wrong and why they were talking to us so rudely” he further said through his post.

“Then another person at the scanner monitor shouted to my sister from 15 feet away “you
are carrying medical injections? What is the medical problem you are carrying them
for?” One of the children has medical need syringes that were in a clearly marked med
bag. My sister requested him to come and speak to her in private. Why was the curious
gentleman asking for medical details of a sensitive nature across an open area. Is it
fair to reveal people’s personal details like this? Finally when I protested that this was
harassment and we were not a security risk and we had cleared 3 crowded airports
together as a family in the past week without incident” he further added.

When the actor asked the CISF officials to talk in Hindi, they said that there are “rules and regulations in India”. The actor asked to speak to the higher most official and happened to talk to him. The official who recognized Siddharth after he removed his mask, said “I’m your fan, Please Go ahead”

The actor said that he didn’t want his kindness after he is being recognized as an actor. He went on to explain about the sufferings his family went through due to the harassment of CISF officials and the reply thr actor received was ” Bro, it happens. Leave it. Sorry”

“I told him sternly in English “it’s not ok. I got an apology just because youre an admirer.
What about common people who experience this kind of bullying? Learn to respect your elders.” I then went to assist my parents to gather their things which were scanned 3 times and go to our boarding gate. We were then met by airport as well as airline employees who apologised to us on behalf of CISF and said they will look into why we were picked on the way we were” he said.

“I fly several timesa week and depend on the kindness of strangers and those who work in our airports for my safety and comfort. I have never had to speak back to anyone like this one instance. I guess the reason was something really hurt when I saw the way they spoke to my parents. It was cruel, unnecessary and highly disturbing and it Scared me how many seniors were being spoken to like this everyday. It is a dificult and tiring job protecting any Airport. Nobody is denying that. This is also not the norm for airports or CISF and it is the first time I have ever experienced it. It’s not the system that’s broken. Maybe comes down to individuals having a bad day and taking it out on others. It still does not make it OK!” Siddharth said.

“I sincerely request that no agenda be made against me or anyone else for this reportage. I didnt ask for special treatment. All that was expected was courtesy and kindness to elders. You would have felt ands aid exactly what I did if it came down to your parents. Wouldn’t you?” he concluded.

Check out his post below :

 

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