Popular actress Sanam Shetty has alleged religious discrimination at Coimbatore Airport and expressed her dismay over the airport check that was done in disparity. The shocking allegation from the actress has now invited a probe into the incident. 

Sanam Shetty, who is known for her roles in Tamil movies and for taking part in Bigg Boss Tamil, has on January 15 released a video on social media in which she alleged religious discrimination at the airport. Sanam Shetty was traveling from Coimbatore to Chennai in an Air India flight and in the video she released after reaching Chennai, she alleged that she and two other Muslim men who were wearing skull caps were isolated and intercepted before boarding the flight. 

In the video, she said, "They (security officers) said that it was a random check ahead of Republic Day. Of the 190 passengers, I was called because of my name and them, because of their attire. It was disturbing and discrimination." The actress had further demanded that such discrimination must be stopped. She said that there was no scanner and asked whether the rest of the passengers didn't carry baggages. 

By citing that the security officers can check the baggage, Sanam Shetty said that it has to be equal and every passenger must be checked and asked why only three people include her, based on the attire and religion, were searched. She wrote on Twitter, "Stop discriminating based on religion, name, dress code Air India. What's your criteria for random checks?." 

Her video has gone viral on social media and it has drawn a probe from the Coimbatore Airport management. Speaking at the incident, Coimbatore Airport Director Senthil Valavan said, "In the wake of the Republic Day, the airport has heightened the security. It has been ordered to check the passengers twice before the boarding and this order has been given to all the airports including the Chennai Airport." 

"It's duty to check every passenger and people like ministers and MP can have an exemption from this check. Even I board a flight, I have to cooperate with the checking protocols. We are currently investigating whether only three passengers were checked and the rest weren't on the said day (by the actress)." 

Stop discriminating based on religion, name, dress code @airindiain .
What's your criteria for random checks? #airindia #securityexcuse pic.twitter.com/JHcOAEQ2N8

— Sanam Shetty (@ungalsanam) January 15, 2023