Air India Crew Members Are Facing Discrimination At Home For Flying Amid Coronavirus And That's Just Not Done

Discrimination is nothing new in India. People have been targeted for their religion, region or beliefs and ideologies. Well, thanks to coronavirus, India saw another spike in racial discrimination against people from the North East. As if that was not enough, now those who we should hail as heroes are now the targets. Who are we talking of? The crew members of Air India flights.

They were just hailed as heroes for flying home Indians stranded in Italy and yet in their housing colonies, they are being ostracized for flying during the coronavirus pandemic to do their duty.

It started with a viral video of a girl who claimed to be an Air India flight attendant. She said that many crew members were targeted by the housing society members after returning from international assignments.

Sadly she is not alone. It was later learned after several other Air India crew members also spoke up against the discrimination. Now this is despite the fact that they are going into coronavirus-affected countries and risking their lives to bring our people back safely. Is this any way to treat our citizens?

In fact, according to a report in India Today, a crew member based in Mumbai has been asked to relocate by others in her colony.

"Is working for a national carrier and getting back our people safely back home a crime. My society called up my husband to inform me that we should move out and manage something elsewhere as a precautionary measure. I am very proud and fortunate that I am one of the many who are helping people in this pandemic," she wrote to her seniors.

"Also, we as airline crew are special as we are helping people all over the world. I can understand the panic around. But we definitely don't deserve this kind of mental harassment," she added.

Many crew members said that things got complicated after their houses were stamped as 'Quarantined' after they came back.

"Someone made a police call stating that me and my wife work at the airport. So, first, two PCRs came to interrogate followed by two policemen. Then an investigating officer also came. We were told that an ambulance would come to take us," said the crew member.

#FlyAI : We would like to appeal to all,particularly the law enforcement agencies,to ensure that AirIndia crew are treated with respect and freedom that every citizen deserves, especially those who have been discharging their duties in selfless manner for return of fellow Indians pic.twitter.com/Uthlk57jG3

¡ª Air India (@airindiain) March 22, 2020

Some also alleged that their families were facing harassment where they worked.

"My daughter works with a financial services company and she was advised to submit my last month's roster. Only after the doctor cleared my daughter was she allowed to attend office. I have to inform them about my future flights and she is being asked from time to time about it. We are trying to cope with issues that we never thought of," said one.

One person also claimed that when he returned he was not allowed to enter his rented apartment.

Air India released an official statement condemning such conduct.

#FlyAI : Dear all, we invite your attention towards this press release . Kind cooperation is solicited. pic.twitter.com/cbTGXIr0tP

¡ª Air India (@airindiain) March 22, 2020

"It is alarming to note that in many localities, vigilante Resident Welfare Associations and neighbours have started ostracizing the crew, obstructing them from performing their duty or even calling in the police, simply because the crew travelled abroad in the course of their duty. These vigilantes have conveniently forgotten that many a spouse, parent, sibling, child and near and dear ones have been brought home safe and secure from affected countries, thanks to the heroic efforts of these Air India crew," it said.

These people put their lives on the line because of duty and us treating way this way is just not done. This is when we need to stand together and such actions divide us further. One hopes people discourage this behaviour and it does not go on.