It's real intolerance: Sonu Nigam on Jet Airways suspending cabin crew

Singer Sonu Nigam has termed as "real intolerance" Jet Airways' decision to suspend the entire cabin crew of a flight for allowing him to use the public address system of an aircraft to entertain the passesngers with a few songs.

The incident had happened on a January 4 flight from Jodhpur to Mumbai, on which Sonu was also travelling.

Reacting to the move by Jet Airways officials, Sonu told IANS via a text message: "I have witnessed an elaborate fashion show in an aircraft. I have heard of small concerts happening in an aircraft. I have seen pilots and crew members cracking humorous jokes to loosen up passengers in other countries, which is so cool."

"To suspend crew members for asking me to sing on the address system, when the seat belt signs were off, and no announcements were to be made, is nothing less than punishing someone for spreading happiness.

"Pity there's no one to question such harshness except the media perhaps. Indians, need to loosen up. This act of lack of common Sense, according to me, is real intolerance."

Online videos uploaded by some passengers show Sonu singing in mid-flight. Sonu is seen dressed casually in a t-shirt and jeans, leaning against a bulkhead as he sings two of his popular songs from the films "Veer Zaara" and "Refugee".

The airline, in a statement said, the cream members have been suspended for "corrective training" to reinforce strict adherence to operating procedures.