Bhajji to 'racist' pilot: 'We are proud Indians, not bloody Indians'

Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh on Wednesday gave a stern reply to Jet Airways pilot who allegedly racially abused and assaulted two passengers on the flight, saying, "We are not bloody Indians but are proud Indians."

"I just want to tell that pilot that we are not bloody Indians. We are proud Indians. And you better go to your own home and earn your money there. We don't need your services here in India. We have a lot of capable people here in India to fly us around here," Singh told ANI.

"And if any foreign pilot comes to India and tells us, 'You Bloody Indians, get out of my flight', it's not right. It's not at all acceptable," he added.

Earlier in the day, he brought in notice an alleged incident of racism and assault by a Jet Airways pilot which took place on April 3.

In a series of tweets, Singh said a pilot named Bernd Hoesslin racially abused and assaulted two passengers on the flight, one of them being a person with physical disability.

"So called this Bernd Hoesslin a pilot with @jetairways called my fellow indian(u bloody indian get out of my flight)while he is earning here. Not only was he racist but physically assaulted a lady and abused a physically challenged man.absolutely disgraceful &shame on @jetairways," said the veteran off-spinner in a series of tweets.

"Strict action must b taken & such things should not be allowed or tolerated in r country.. #proudtobeindian let's get together and sort this," he added.

Following this, the airline de-rostered the pilot and assured that corrective action would be taken as per company policy, and after due investigation into the incident.

"Jet Airways takes a serious view of such incidents. The airline has a strict employee code of conduct reflecting its values and ethos which is clearly mentioned in the prescribed service conditions for all employees and is adequately emphasized during internal training sessions," Jet Airways said in a statement.

"In continuation of our earlier statement dated April 06, 2017, the airline has already noted guest feedback with concern. The concerned pilot remains de-rostered since the day of the event, pending results of a full-fledged internal investigation that is currently underway, based on specific inputs from guests, concerned departments and law-enforcement agencies."

"Jet Airways will take corrective action as per company policy. Additionally, the airline has already issued an apology to the guest regretting the incident and will update the guest with the result of the investigation," the statement added.