India’s top diplomat to the UN, Hardeep Puri, today sought to downplay the incident, saying he did not allow removal of his turban nor was he patted down.
“No pat down took place,” Puri said. Describing the incident, he said the security officials did indeed ask to check his turban.
Puri then told the guards that he was aware of the new rules, which allowed him to check his own turban and the guards could then swipe his hands to check for any metal traces.
“I said I would comply with the procedures but did not allow them to touch my turban,” he said. “The guard was unaware of the new procedures so I told him to go check with his superior officer,” he said.
The security officials acknowledged that there was indeed such a provision and Puri was able to check his own turban.When Puri went through the scanner, there was no beep.