Mangaluru: Religious sentiments are good but not when they interfere with safety and security like passengers carrying coconuts (which prove to be highly combustible) on a flight and put many in danger of losing their lives on a plane.

It is with this view in mind that the Central Industrial Security Force had recently prohibited anyone from carrying coconuts in their cabin luggage.

And yet, in spite of all this, when the Mangalore International Airport still comes across a passenger stubbornly carrying a coconut, stating that it is sacred and a prasad that he brought from a temple, there is little that the authorities can do, besides sternly telling the man to dump it in the glass box.

Passengers need to understand that these are guidelines from the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security that are meant not to interfere with any sentiments but see to the good of all.

With that said, the airport clearly states that it will not entertain any more sentimental passengers coming with coconuts, not even those that are broken into small pieces.

It clearly states how passengers who want to carry prasad to their loved ones abroad can send it through the checked-in luggage.

That said, the Mangalore International Airport hopes that there will be no confusion in the future. While copra or coconut powder is permitted, the airport will not entertain any more passengers coming with coconuts in their baggage.