Cricketer Harbhajan Singh lashes out against ''racist'' Jet Airways pilot

Veteran cricketer Harbhajan Singh on Wednesday lashed out against a Jet Airways pilot for racial discrimination against a fellow Indian passenger on the flight.

The Punjab tweaker, who is currently playing for the Indian Premier League (IPL) side Mumbai Indians, took to Twitter to reveal that the pilot, named Bernd Hoesslin, "physically assaulted a lady and abused a physically challenged man" besides calling them "bloody Indians".

So called this Bernd Hoesslin a pilot with @jetairways called my fellow indian(u bloody indian get out of my flight)while he is earning here

— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) April 26, 2017

Not only was he racist but physically assaulted a lady and abused a physically challenged man..absolutely disgraceful &shame on @jetairways

— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) April 26, 2017

Strict action must b taken &such things should not be allowed or tolerated in r country.. #proudtobeindian let's get together and sort this

— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) April 26, 2017

In a series of tweets, the off-spinner, popularly known as the `Turbunator` hit out at the airline`s pilot for disrespecting an Indian despite himself making his earning on the Indian soil.

"So called this Bernd Hoesslin a pilot with @jetairways called my fellow indian (u bloody indian get out of my flight) while he is earning here," Harbhajan wrote in his first tweet.

"Not only was he racist but physically assaulted a lady and abused a physically challenged man...absolutely disgraceful & shame on @jetairways."

Demanding strict action against the pilot, the 36-year-old cricketer wrote: "Strict action must be taken & such things should not be allowed or tolerated in r country... #proudtobeindian let`s get together and sort this."

Harbhajan took some time out to travel with his friends and family. He went for a short trip to Alibag on Tuesday and uploaded a video of the trip on social networking site Instagram.

Responding to Singh's tweet, Jet Airways spokesperson in a statement said, "Jet Airways takes a serious view of such incidents. The airline has a strict employee code of conduct reflecting its values and ethos which is clearly mentioned in the prescribed service conditions for all employees and is adequately emphasized during internal training sessions.
                       
In continuation of our earlier statement dated April 06, 2017, the airline has already noted guest feedback with concern. The concerned pilot remains de-rostered since the day of the event, pending results of a full-fledged internal investigation that is currently underway, based on specific inputs from guests, concerned departments and law-enforcement agencies.
 
Jet Airways will take corrective action as per company policy.

Additionally, the airline has already issued an apology to the guest regretting the incident and will update the guest with the result of the investigation”