Sikh actor and designer Waris Ahluwalia was stopped from boarding a New York-bound Aero Mexico flight from Mexico City on Monday after he refused to remove his turban for a security check. The actor said he complied with all security measures – he was held back till other passengers had boarded before having his bag searched, being swabbed and patted down to his feet – but drew the line when he was asked to remove his turban.

Ahluwalia, who has appeared in 17 films, said he requested to be taken to a private screening room, but was denied. He was told by an airline employee that he will need to book another flight. Ahluwalia had learned earlier that he had been selected for a Secondary Security Screening Selection, which is indicated by an “SSSS” on a passenger’s boarding pass. It directs security personnel to carry out more intense checks. The actor said he has been made to go through such enhanced checks before.

The incident was met with outrage on social media after Ahluwalia shared the story on Instagram. In a statement, Aero Mexico said they “regretted any inconvenience caused” but did not offer an apology. Not a stranger to discrimination, Ahluwalia’s posters for a Gap campaign in 2013 were vandalised with graffiti such as “Make Bombs” and “Please stop driving taxis”. He was the first Sikh man to model for Gap.