I am an Indian citizen travelling with my mother. Our flight is scheduled to depart from Terminal 2C, Gate C91, in the next one hour. EK0072 to Dubai
During the security check at Gate 2, a female security staff member misbehaved with my mother. From what I could understand, this behaviour appeared to be because we are not French and do not speak French.
While other female passengers were allowed to pass through the security check wearing metal bangles or bracelets, my mother was asked to remove her gold bangles. She was unable to remove them easily, and the security staff member told her to “cut her hand” or that she would not be allowed to proceed. This statement was extremely inappropriate and distressing.
Male security staff members were willing to let my mother pass, but the female staff member continued to insist that the bangles be removed, even though it was clearly causing her pain. My mother managed to remove two bangles but struggled with the third. Another staff member eventually intervened, helped us, and convinced the security officer to allow us to proceed.
In Indian culture, married women wear gold bangles as a symbol of marriage, and they are not meant to be removed. Additionally, other passengers were allowed to keep their jewellery on, which raises the question of why we were treated differently when the jewellery was clearly visible.
I travel frequently and have never experienced such behaviour before. This incident felt discriminatory and deeply upsetting. I would like to know whether such treatment based on nationality or language is acceptable, and whether the airport promotes or tolerates racist behaviour.