A 65-year-old Dutch citizen of Indian origin, Subhash Hajij, was arrested by the Bengaluru International Airport Police on Tuesday for sending a bizarre package containing rotten vegetables, decaying garlands, and nude photographs to the airport’s administrative office. Hajij, an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholder fluent in six languages, reportedly sent the parcel in January as part of a ritual he believed would “ward off tragic incidents” at the facility.
The arrest followed weeks of investigation after airport authorities, puzzled by the contents, filed a formal complaint. While Hajij claims his motives were benevolent, police have booked him under the anti-black magic act and are seeking a medical evaluation to determine his mental state.
A Ritual of Rotten Vegetables and ‘Protection’
The carton, which arrived at the Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) office earlier this year, left officials baffled. Beyond the decaying food and flowers, the package contained pieces of iron, a toothpaste cover, and several obscene photographs of men and women.
After deliberating for nearly a month, authorities lodged a complaint on March 4. “He claims he had no ill intention and sent the package to ensure that no tragic incidents occur at the airport,” a senior investigating officer stated.
The police tracked Hajij down using CCTV footage, eventually locating him sleeping near a temple in the Madiwala area. During questioning, Hajij admitted to sending similar “protective” packages to other airports across the country, a claim officials are currently verifying.
The Polyglot Wanderer with No Home
Subhash Hajij’s background presents the picture of a well-traveled, albeit isolated, individual. Born in a South American country with Indian roots, he later became a Dutch national and worked in Europe for several years.
Now a retiree living off his pension, he is fluent in Dutch, German, Spanish, English, Hindi, and several other languages.
Despite his frequent visits to India, he reportedly has no known relatives in the country and has spent his time wandering through Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra. Given the eccentric nature of his “rituals,” the police have approached the court to subject him to a psychiatric examination. “He is currently in judicial custody. So far, there is no indication that he intended to create mischief,” the officer added.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
This incident serves as a poignant reminder of the thin line between personal belief and public safety. While Mr. Hajij’s actions appear to be rooted in a misplaced sense of “protection” rather than malice, the use of superstitious rituals to address modern security concerns is both regressive and disruptive.
At The Logical Indian, we believe that true safety stems from robust systems and rational action, not from rituals that involve “rotten vegetables” or “nude photographs.” Furthermore, the possibility that this individual is struggling with mental health issues highlights a significant gap in our social support systems for the elderly and the displaced.
Instead of purely punitive measures, we must advocate for a society that prioritizes mental health awareness and provides compassionate care for those who may have lost their way.
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