Olympic quota place winner pistol ace Manu Bhaker on Friday, 19 February, evening alleged that she was harassed by Air India officials at the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) while she was trying to board a flight from Delhi to Bhopal. The 19-year-old Haryana shooter, who was carrying two weapons and ammunition on her way to Bhopal Shooting Academy, was later allowed to board the flight.
After being stopped at the airport, Manu tweeted her 'problem', tagging Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju and Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, among others.
Her first tweet said: "IGI Delhi .Going to Bhopal (MP Shooting Acadmy For my training i need to carry weapons and ammunition, Request @airindiain Officials to give little respect or at least don't Insult players every time &please don't ask money. I Have @DGCAIndia permit."
Manu Bhakar Allowed to Board Flight
After Rijiju's intervention, she eventually board the AI 437 flight.
Manu tweeted fives times on Friday, starting at 8.17 pm; the last one was posted at 8.57 pm, after she was cleared to board the flight. She thanked the sports minister in her last tweet: "Thank you @KirenRijiju sir. Got boarded after strong support from all of you. Thank you India. [Flag of India] [Folded hands] jai hind." Rijiju responded by tweeting: "You are India's pride."
Air India Responds to Bhaker’s Tweets
Soon after that her tweet, Air India replied to Manu.
Air India said: "Ma'am we are really sorry that you have faced inconvenience while traveling with us. We request you to kindly share details of the issue along with your contact details over DM for us to assist you."
Hinting at officials asking her for "bribes", Manu said: "Not allowing me to board flight AI 437 at IGI Delhi and asking now 10200rs Despite all valid Documentation and DGCA permit (sic). Top of that Manoj Gupta Air india incharge doesn't recognise DGCA," she wrote, and tagged @narendramodi @HardeepSPuri @AmitShah @VasundharaBJP "shall I pay this Bribes or!!!!"
Air India replied: "Ma'am we have noted details, please allow us few mins to inform our Delhi Airport team."
Manu's next tweet read: "Think this type behaviour is not acceptable (sic).Manoj Gupta is not even human. He is treating me like I am a criminal. Also his security incharge Such people need basic training of behaviour hopefully Aviation ministry will find out &will send him to right place."
In a series of tweets, Air India, after checking with its officials at the IGI, said: "Dear Ms Bhaker Our Delhi Airport team has confirmed that the official at our counter had only sought for valid documents as per rules for carriage of your weapon on board. (1/3)."
"(2/3)In absence of the same, legitimate specified charges for the arms were conveyed to you. No one sought a 'bribe' as has been alleged. You were issued boarding pass on your assurance of furnishing valid documents before boarding."
"(3/3) Immediately after the official valid documents were shown by you at the boarding point, u were allowed to board. It may please be noted that Air India has always encouraged and respected Sportspersons and have many an eminent sports legends working with us."
Who Is Manu Bhaker?
Manu is one of the top shooters selected for the ISSF World Cup, to be held from March 18 to 29 at Dr Karni Singh Shooting Ranges in New Delhi.
The 2018 Youth Olympic champion competed in the 10 m air pistol and the 25 m sports pistol in the second round of national selection trials held in New Delhi from 8 to 14 February.
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)