"Privileges Are Not Above Law": Delhi Customs Response On Kashmiri Journalist Yana Mir's Allegation Over Bag Scan (image: instagram.com/realyanamir)
Kashmiri journalist and activist Yana Mir“s tussle with Delhi customs on bag checking incident at the Delhi”s airport is going rounds on internet. Yana Mir, attained fame recently over her “I am not Malala speech” at the UK’s Parliament building heavily criticised customs department for the mistreatment. However, Delhi customs denied allegations and responded that “Privileges are not above law”.
Earlier on Monday, Yana Mir shared a post along with the video of her bag scanning (which was later deleted) on X narrating the ill treatment meted out to her by the Delhi customs officials when she arrived at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport. In the post, she wrote that when Londoners think of her as an “Indian media warrior,” Delhi customs think of her as a “brand smuggler.”
In the next post, journalist claimed that customs officials treatment was “dictatorial,” She wrote: “I dont want special treatment. But harassing citizens like this is dictatorial. They need to be polite and ask if anything to declare, if very suspicious even after scanning then they shud be courteous, to open in the bag in closed area, not openly like this.” In the video, recording the incident Yana Mir tells that customs are making her wait and wanted to charge her some duty for some empty Louis Vuitton shopping bags.
I dont want special treatment.
But harassing citizens like this is dictatorial.
They need to be polite and ask if anything to declare, if very suspicious even after scanning then they shud be courteous, to open in the bag in closed area, not openly like this— Yana Mir (@MirYanaSY) February 26, 2024
However, dismissing the allegations Delhi Customs wrote on social media that bag scanning of international passengers was part of routine exercise and activist is needlessly offended. “Bag scanning of international passengers is done routinely. While other paxs put their luggage inside the scanner without any fuss Ms. Yana Mir felt needlessly offended. Staff remained courteous throughout. Privileges are not above law.” They have also added CCTV footage along with the post to support their claim.
Bag scanning of international passengers is done routinely. While other paxs put their luggage inside the scanner without any fuss
Ms. Yana Mir felt needlessly offended. Staff remained courteous throughout.Privileges are not above law. Footage tells the story. pic.twitter.com/vpwn4MMVQt— Delhi Customs (Airport & General) (@AirportGenCus) February 26, 2024
In the follow-up post, Delhi Customs also added that Yana Mir did not cooperate at all when requested to get her bag scanned. “Her luggage was ultimately picked up by airline staff and Customs officer for scanning as seen in the footage,” Customs wrote. In respone, Kashmiri journalist wrote: “You can see CLEARLY IN THE FOOTAGE as soon as i was told to scan i went to the machine. High handed, arrogant, entitled, govt employees thought its below their dignity to help me put the heavy suitcase on the machine, or help me me put it back in the trolley.”
You can see CLEARLY IN THE FOOTAGE
as soon as i was told to scan i went to the machine.
High handed, arrogant, entitled, govt employees thought its below their dignity to help me put the heavy suitcase on the machine, or help me me put it back in the trolley.— Yana Mir (@MirYanaSY) February 26, 2024
Last week, Yana Mir in the viral video asserted that she was “not Malala Yusufzai” and was safe in India. It was while speaking at an event hosted by the Jammu and Kashmir Study Centre in the UK, Kashmiri journalist said: “I am not a Malala Yusufzai because I am free and I am safe in my country, in my homeland Kashmir, which is part of India. I will never need to run away from my country and seek refuge in your country.”
