After three Muslim men alleged that they were harassed and referred to as ‘terrorists’ by the staff at Taj Vivanta in Guwahati on Friday, the hotel authorities responded with a template statement. Instead of apologising for religious discrimination and profiling, Taj Vivanta said, “..inconvenience is regretted.”
News Central24x7.com had e-mailed three questions to the hotel authorities:
1) Did the hotel staff call Sahabuddin, Imran Hussain and Zahid Islam Barbhuiya terrorist as alleged by them? If yes, what made them think so.
2) Did the hotel staff check the phones of the guests?
3) Was the Police and IB informed about the incident?
On Monday, Public Relations officer, Indranee Phukan, did not refute the allegation of religious discrimination levelled against the five-star hotel. At the same time, no apology was tendered either.
“At IHCL/TAJ security and safety of our guests is our utmost priority. Our personnel are trained according to best global standards to conduct these routines with utmost sensitivity and care and without discrimination. During all security checks, the cooperation of our guests is highly appreciated and their inconvenience is regretted,” Phukan wrote in her reply.
Assam residents Sahabuddin (28), Imran Hussain Laskar (25) and Zahid Islam Barbhuiya (25) checked in Vivanta by Taj on Friday. They told News Central24x7.com that the hotel staff misbehaved with them and monitored their movements. General Manager at the hotel, Ashwani Anand, allegedly went as far to suggest that the three were ‘terrorists’ after he saw a video of AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisis in Laskar’s phone.