Delhi: A disturbing case of alleged religious discrimination has surfaced at the IGI Airport in Delhi, where a Hindu female employee claims she was harassed and targeted for wearing a tilak by her Muslim supervisor. The incident, involving Chanchal Tyagi, an employee of the Samar Odia Sela Company, has raised serious concerns about religious bias and harassment in the workplace.
According to Tyagi, who has worked at the company for two years, her supervisor, Mahjabina Akhtar, who serves as the PSM (Passenger Service Manager), refused to provide her with necessary vaccinations. Akhtar allegedly stated that it was an “annual practice” to withhold vaccinations from her. Tyagi further accused Akhtar of subjecting her to continued harassment, claiming her shift times were arbitrarily changed, and she was denied leave on religious festivals like Diwali.
Tyagi described how she was assigned to work night shifts in “soft corners” and was reportedly scolded for leaving early during an 8-hour shift. Additionally, she claimed she was coerced into converting to Islam and was followed by staff members to ensure she did not raise her grievances with senior officials.
In a shocking revelation, Tyagi also stated that during Navratri, a significant Hindu festival, she was forbidden from wearing a tilak, a religious mark worn on the forehead, and that this policy was imposed on other Hindu women as well. She alleged that several Hindu employees have refrained from speaking out due to fear of losing their jobs, as there are high-level officials, including a Vice President, who appear to favor Muslim employees.
Tyagi further highlighted the alleged preferential treatment given to Muslim staff members. She noted that while Hindu employees are denied leave on their religious festivals, Muslim staff members are allowed to offer prayers multiple times during their shifts, and Fridays are treated as unofficial holidays for them. She also claimed that any complaints made by Hindu seniors are escalated directly to the Vice President, who is Muslim, to silence them.
The allegations have sparked outrage, with Tyagi calling for uniform treatment of employees, regardless of their religion. She emphasized that workplace rules should be the same for all, and no religious group should be given undue preference or be discriminated against.
As of now, no official statement has been issued by the company or the accused PSM, Mahjabina Akhtar. However, the growing outcry over the incident has led to demands for accountability and justice for the affected employees. Tyagi has resigned from her position, citing unbearable harassment, and her case has brought the issue of religious bias in workplaces to the forefront of public discourse.
