JOIN USMan accuses GoAir of denying ticket for speaking Kannada
The Kannada Development Authority has issued a notice to GoAir, accusing it of denying a ticket to a passenger, who has charged the airline with harassing him for speaking in Kannada at the Kempegowda International Airport.
Balaji Narayana Murthy was among 14 passengers who arrived at the check-in counter of GoAir for their 5.45 am a flight to Mumbai on Wednesday. “We were five minutes late to the airport as the overnight rain had resulted in slow-moving traffic. In fact, it took us more than 30 minutes from the Trumpet Flyover to the KIA. We explained the delay to a staff and sought help to board the next flight,” Murthy said.
As the staff was not forthcoming even after half an hour, the 14 passengers decided to speak to the manager, who assured them alternative tickets. “When we were at the manager’s counter, I was speaking in Kannada to another passenger. A staffer with GoAir shouted that I can’t speak in Kannada at the airport,” Murthy said.
Murthy said the staffer named Sandeep later issued tickets to 13 passengers but left him out.
“When I asked for my ticket, Sandeep told me I won’t get the ticket as I was speaking in my language. Despite repeated pleas, he refused to help. It was a refundable ticket. Finally, I asked him for a refund which he declined stating that I came beyond the stipulated time. I asked him for a written explanation but it was not given. I felt humiliated but couldn’t do anything,” he added.
‘Swift action must’
Murthy spent Rs 9,000 to buy another ticket for Mumbai. “I sent a mail to GoAir customer care at 7 pm explaining my plight in detail. Till now, I have not received even a reply,” he said.
KDA chief S G Siddaramaiah has written to GoAir seeking action against the staff and an explanation before October 10.
“I urge you to remove your staff and provide an explanation for the incident. On October 10, I will visit Kempegowda International Airport to review the implementation of Kannada. I request you to submit a report explaining the action taken against the staffer concerned,” the letter says.
Noting that no person or organisation has the authority to ask a passenger to stop speaking in their local language, the letter states that it is objectionable to know that a staffer of a responsible organisation has behaved in such a way.
“It is the primary responsibility of all organisations working in Karnataka to respect the language and culture of the land. We need to see whether organisations like GoAir that forget the responsibility can be allowed to function in Karnataka. We need to communicate that Karnataka does not need organisations that do not respect its language,” S G Siddaramaiah has said.
GoAir, in its response, said the customer along with "12 other passengers reported for check-in after closure of acceptance for flight (well after 45 minutes prior to boarding)".
"Our airport team accommodated them by offering an alternate flight later during the day or even the option of a refund. This was availed by most customers. This particular customer too was offered the same options, but he refused to accept either. GoAir Airport staff are trained to manage such situations with genuine empathy and sensitivity. At no time did our team members resort to any unprofessional behaviour,” a spokesperson for the airline said.