Air India has found itself at the center of a social media storm following the circulation of alleged excerpts from an old cabin crew grooming manual. The controversy erupted after users on platforms like X (formerly Twitter) shared screenshots suggesting the airline's guidelines prohibited traditional Indian adornments for employees, including wedding choora, mangalsutra, teeka, and sindoor, as well as bindis.
Social Media Outcry Over Alleged Guidelines
The images, purportedly from an Air India Cabin Crew Handbook, quickly went viral. Social media users expressed significant outrage, questioning why India's flag carrier would impose such restrictions on its staff, particularly regarding cultural and religious symbols. Some commentators drew parallels to a recent controversy involving eyewear retailer Lenskart, which had also faced backlash over its reported grooming policies before issuing an inclusive clarification.
"It appears that this problem runs much deeper. Here are some pictures from the Air India Cabin Crew Handbook. Bindi, Sindoor, Tilak, etc., are not allowed. Why are they doing this so blatantly?" one user posted, sharing screenshots of the alleged rules.
The public reaction highlighted a sentiment among some users that such policies were an affront to Indian culture, with comparisons even made to international airlines in Muslim-majority countries allowing religious attire like hijabs for their cabin crew.
Air India Issues Clarification
Amid the growing backlash, Air India promptly issued a clarification, stating that the viral content originated from an "older manual that is no longer in use." A spokesperson emphasized that Air India employees retain the choice to wear a bindi. This statement aims to distance the airline from the controversial guidelines and reassure the public regarding its current policies.
The airline's quick response seeks to mitigate the negative publicity and clarify that its existing grooming standards permit traditional Indian cultural and religious expressions among its cabin crew members.