Jihadi mentality: BJP leader alleges harassment by IndiGo employee, slams airline

Mumbai,UPDATED: Dec 23, 2025 17:05 IST

BJP Minority leader Nazia Elahi Khan triggered a major controversy after posting a series of remarks on social media platform X on December 22, 2025, alleging harassment by the IndiGo airline staff at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport.

In her post, Khan claimed that during an emergency trip she was compelled to buy an IndiGo ticket and alleged that she faced what she described as “mini jihad” at multiple stages, including the airline counter, security stretch counter, and runway coach. She named three airline employees and accused them of deliberately harassing her due to what she termed her “patriotism.”

She said, “Whenever the Ummah employees of Indigo show me their Jihadi mentality! That's when I'll take off their hijab!”

Khan further alleged that IndiGo’s hiring practices could pose a threat to national security and questioned whether the airline’s employment policies reflected a “well-thought-out conspiracy.” She also criticised the airline owner, accusing him of promoting what she described as “liberal Hindu” values by employing a large number of Muslim staff.

Following widespread criticism and trolling online, Khan posted another message doubling down on her remarks. In the subsequent post, she challenged the airline owner to “blacklist” her and stated that she would not remain silent. She made further controversial comments targeting Muslim employees, which drew sharp reactions on social media.

The remarks have sparked outrage, with several users on social media accusing Khan of spreading communal hatred and making inflammatory statements against a particular religious community

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