‘Pehli shaadi hai ya doosri?’: Woman says Delhi airport security questioned her ‘sindoor’, post goes viral

Delhi airport check over sindoor sparks debate across social media. (AI-generated representative image)

Airport security checks are often stressful for many people, but sometimes they may also lead to unexpected conversations. This was the case for a traveller at Delhi Airport, where a routine baggage inspection turned into a discussion about culture and marriage, sparking a viral social media post.

The unusual encounter, which the traveller later described as a “15-minute cultural audit”, has since gone viral on social media. Shared online by X user Aakanksha Sadekar Chauhan, the incident has drawn both amusement and criticism from internet users.

According to her post, the episode began during a routine security screening when an officer checked her handbag while passengers were going through baggage inspection.

Airport security checks in India are commonly carried out by personnel from the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), who are responsible for screening luggage and passengers at major airports. Officers sometimes inspect bags manually if an item appears unusual during the scanning process.

During the inspection, the officer reportedly came across a small container of orange powder inside Chauhan’s purse. Curious about the item, he asked her about it. “Madam… yeh kya hai?” (Madam… what is this?), She replied that it was sindoor.

Sindoor (Vermilion) is a red or orange powder traditionally worn by many married Hindu women along the parting of their hair as a symbol of marriage. While widely recognised across India, its use and customs can vary between regions and communities.

After hearing her response, the officer appeared uncertain. He then looked at her boarding pass more closely and noticed her surname.

According to Chauhan, that detail seemed to raise more questions for him. He then asked her something she did not expect to hear during an airport security check. The officer asked her, “Madam… pehli shaadi hai ya doosri?” (Madam… is this your first marriage or second?)

In her X post she shared how the conversation unfolded during the check. She wrote, “I was furious by this point and nearly screamed: ‘Pehli.’ (first) His confusion deepens, ‘Par aap Marathi ho… phir sindoor?’ (But you are Marathi… then why sindoor?)”

Chauhan later said the question initially left her irritated, though she answered that it was her first marriage. However, the officer’s confusion did not end there. He continued asking about the cultural detail that puzzled him. “Par aap Marathi ho… phir sindoor?” (But you are Marathi… then why sindoor?)

According to her post, this led to a longer explanation during the security check. She said she tried to clarify how cultural traditions in India often overlap. “I swear at this point I had nearly lost my patience but then I spent 15 minutes explaining to airport security that a Marathi woman can marry a UP man and still wear sindoor without violating the laws of North India,” she wrote.

Even after the explanation, she joked that the officer still appeared unsure about the situation. She added, “Pandey ji understood nothing but just stood and shook his head. Thank god he hadn’t seen my British passport. I may have accidentally disrupted the cultural order before breakfast.”

Her post soon attracted many reactions online, with users responding with both criticism and humour. Some users felt the questions were too personal for an airport setting. One user wrote, “How dare he ask such personal questions!”

Delhi airport security just gave me a 15-minute cultural audit. CRPF officer Pandey ji examines my boarding card, then produces a small box of orange powder from my purse. “Madam… yeh kya hai?” “Sindoora,” I say casually. He freezes. Reads my surname: Sadekar. Back to the…

— Aakanksha Sadekar Chauhan (@scotthakuraaiin) March 13, 2026

Another person expressed surprise that such a question could arise during a security check. Another commented, “Pehli shaadi hai ya dusri? Question I never thought one could face at the airport security.”

Others looked at the situation more lightly and joked about the unexpected turn the security check had taken. One user joked, “Pandey ji expected security check… ended up doing cultural verification.”

At the same time, some users defended the officer and praised his alertness during the screening process. A user wrote, “Hahahaha! Interesting! I am glad that atleast that chap was doing his job properly. He was actually paying attention to the details and thinking about it all. Surely it was at the cost your annoyance Aakanksha but I am glad out security is in good hands!” Chauhan responded, “No I am actually glad they are vigilant it’s very reassuring.”

Disclaimer: This report is based on user-generated content shared on social media. Moneycontrol has not independently verified the claims and does not endorse them.