Sikh Actor Waris Ahluwalia Barred from Flight After Refusing to Remove Turban, Sparking Outrage

Friends, activists and fellow actors are speaking out in support of Waris Ahluwalia, after the Sikh actor and designer was barred from boarding a flight from Mexico City to New York on Monday for refusing to remove his turban in public for screening.

"13 hours later. Still in Mexico City. No traveler should be subjected to what I was today. All we're asking for from @aeromexico is an apology and education/training of the staff," Ahluwalia, 41, wrote on Instagram.

"Dear NYC fashion week. I may be a little late as @aeromexico won't let me fly with a turban. Don't start the show without me," he wrote in another post.

The Indian-American actor, who has appeared in several Wes Anderson films, including The Grand Budapest Hotel and The Darjeeling Limited, told the New York Daily News that he asked to be taken to a private screening room but was denied. He did not want to take off the religious headgear in front of others.



"That is not something that I would do in public," he said. "That's akin to asking someone to take off their clothes."

Aeroméxico posted a statement online Monday saying that the airline "renews its commitment to transport all passengers regardless of their religion, social status or gender. The airline, however, is required to meet the federal safety requirements outlined by the United States' Transportation Security Administration (TSA) for review of selected passengers traveling to the United States. The airline regrets any inconvenience any passenger could perceive due to the application of these procedures."

In a statement sent to PEOPLE, the airline added, "We apologize to Mr. Waris Ahluwalia for the bad experience he had with one of our security elements in addressing your flight to New York in the Mexico City International Airport."

Aeroméxico said, "This case motivates us to ensure that security personnel strengthen its care protocols, always respecting the cultural and religious values of customers."

Orange Is the New Black star Natasha Lyonne was among the fellow actors who addressed the incident on Twitter, linking to Ahluwalia's Instagram. Activist group the Sikh Coalition also kept close tabs on the incident, writing Monday night on Twitter: "Waris will stay in Mexico City tonight as @AeroMexico fails to accommodate his civil rights."