Guwahati: Three Muslim Youth Accuse Taj Hotel Of “Religious Profiling”

Three Muslim men have accused Taj Vivanta at Guwahati of racial profiling and harassment. The trio has written a complaint to Taj Group of Hotels regarding the issue they faced while staying at company’s establishment at Guwahati. The three men – Imran Hussain Laskar, Sahab Uddin, and Zahid Islam Barbhuiyan, checked into the hotel on October 12; they belong to Barak valley in Assam. Mr Laskar is a member of the Army Medical Corp, Mr Barbhuiyan is a teacher, and Mr Uddin owns a college. They were harassed and threatened by the management of the Hotel when the staff found the old videos of Lok Sabha MP Asaduddin Owaisi on their phones as per the report by News18.

Threatened of sending them to jail

They came to the hotel after they missed their flight to Delhi. However, they noticed that they were being watched and followed by the police and the security personnel of the hotel within the hotel. Mr Barbhuiyan, while speaking to The Hindu, said, “Nothing happened when we checked in to room 226 at about 2 pm, after paying upfront, including ₹2,000 for an extra bed. We went out and returned at 4 p. to find the hotel was full of security men”.

When they tried speaking to the Receptionist, she misbehaved with them, and the chief executive officer threatened to send them to jail. Barbhuiyan also told that when Laskar attempted to record the whole incidence on his phone, they snatched his phone. They were confined in a room and questioned till long hours. The police left around midnight after inquiring them and thanked them for their cooperation. Even after the whole inquiry by the police, the trio was forced to leave the hotel at midnight. Now, these men are planning to complain about the hotel in consumer court, after going through all the harassment and torture.

Mr Laskar told News18, “They put us through the security check, luggage check and there were some people constantly following us everywhere. When we questioned, they said it’s the CEO’s order. Is this right; what they have done to me? Is this how they treat a soldier?”

Asaduddin Owaisi, Lok Sabha MP, condemned the whole incident and accused the hotel of religious profiling.

I strongly condemn the behavior of @assampolice & management of @TajHotels
"I want to know from the @CMOfficeAssam that how can you suspects a soilder's integrity, How can you call him a terrorist, just becoz that person happens to have beard and muslim name":Br. Asaduddin Owaisi pic.twitter.com/FR84YQNOU1

— Tauseef Mohammed (@Tauseefpro) October 15, 2018

The Hotel issued a statement saying “At IHCL/TAJ security and safety of our guests is our utmost priority. Our personnel is trained according to best global standards to conduct these routines with the utmost sensitivity and care and without discrimination. During all security checks, the cooperation of our guests is highly appreciated, and their inconvenience is regretted.”

The security of our guests is our utmost priority. Our personnel are trained according to best global standards to conduct these routines with utmost sensitivity and without discrimination . The cooperation of our guests is highly appreciated and their inconvenience is regretted.

— Taj Hotels (@TajHotels) October 15, 2018

Also Read: I’m A Muslim & I Trust You, Do You Trust Me Enough For A Hug?