New Delhi – India’s Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has issued a firm clarification regarding a recent airport incident, stating its immigration officials did not prevent a Nepali journalist from boarding a flight to Berlin. The MHA clarified that the decision to deny boarding was made solely by the airline.
The Incident: A Journalist’s Social Media Claim
The controversy gained significant attention last week after Bhrikuti Rai, a Nepali journalist, was scheduled to fly from Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport to Berlin for a training program. Ms. Rai took to X (formerly Twitter) to claim she was “denied boarding by Indian immigration” without a clear reason, causing her to miss her Vistara flight.
Her posts sparked widespread concern and debate, with many questioning if the Indian government was restricting the movement of a foreign journalist, a move with potential diplomatic and press freedom implications.
MHA Issues Firm Denial: ‘Airline’s Decision’
In a statement on Tuesday, the Home Ministry sought to set the record straight and quell the growing speculation. An MHA spokesperson issued a categorical denial, directly addressing the core of the keyword: India Did Not Disallow the Nepali Citizen From Boarding the Berlin Flight; the Airline Stopped Her.
“The allegations that a Nepali citizen was disallowed from boarding a flight to Berlin by Indian immigration authorities are factually incorrect,” the spokesperson stated. “The passenger was not disallowed from boarding by Indian immigration. The decision to not allow her to board was taken by the concerned airline.”
Why Would an Airline Deny Boarding?
This official clarification places the responsibility squarely on Vistara. While the MHA has cleared the government’s role, the central question remains: why did the airline stop her?
Airlines can deny boarding to passengers for several reasons, even after they have cleared immigration. These checks often relate to the final destination’s entry requirements. Airlines are responsible for ensuring passengers have:
* The correct type of visa for their travel purpose.
* A passport with sufficient validity.
* Proof of onward travel or sufficient funds, if required.
Airlines face hefty fines and repatriation costs if they transport a passenger who is subsequently denied entry. It is plausible that Vistara‘s ground staff perceived an issue with Ms. Rai’s travel documents or her eligibility to enter Germany, leading to their decision.
Diplomatic Sensitivity and Next Steps
The MHA‘s swift response is also viewed as an effort to prevent any misunderstanding with Nepal, a close neighbour with which India shares an open border and a special relationship.
With the Indian government having officially distanced itself from the incident, all eyes are now on Vistara. The airline has yet to issue a comprehensive public statement explaining the specific grounds for denying Ms. Rai boarding. A clear explanation is needed to provide closure and clarify the airline’s policies for international travellers.
