In a strong reaction to the detention of Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan at a New York airport, India on Friday summoned a top American diplomat after External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna said “detention and apology” had become a habit with the U.S., which could not continue.
According to the sources, U.S. Deputy Chief of Mission Donald Lu was summoned by Joint Secretary (Americas) Javed Ashraf and was conveyed India's “concern” over the issue. — PTI
“What's the big deal?”
Special Correspondent reports:
Sharing the Indian media's and the government's resentment, the Twitteratti were wondering why Indian celebrities don't turn down invitations from the U.S. But Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah did not think the matter deserved to be taken up “at the highest levels” as Mr. Krishna instructed the Indian Ambassador in the U.S. to do. “Honestly what's the big deal? This airport detention thing happens all the time and to all sorts of people. Get over it,” he advised.
Backing Mr. Krishna, his junior Minister Preneet Kaur was also uncompromising: “More than an apology will have to take place.” But the actor's self-professed close friend and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Rajiv Shukla did not go beyond expressing obligatory resentment: “What has happened is not appropriate.”
The BJP fielded the former Union Minister, Shahnawaz Khan, who has also suffered detention at a U.S. airport. “Such [an] attitude of the U.S. is not acceptable and we condemn it. First this [detention and security check] was done with the former President, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, then with Shah Rukh Khan and then with me. Now this has been repeated with Khan. Each time the U.S. says it will look into the issue,” he complained.
Keywords: Shah Rukh Khan, New York airport, SRK airport detention
Complaining about the detention of Indian celebrities serves as a reflection of the view held widely here that some people are above the law. What loss has Mr. Khan suffered due to being pulled aside for secondary screening? And what makes him so special that he should be exempt? Even a very well known and powerful American like the late Sen. Ted Kennedy was pulled aside for secondary screening at Boston's Logan airport more than once - he did not go around whining about it.
Attitudes and expectations of 'special treatment' like exemptions from rules for a select few is what breeds corruption in Indian society. Mr. Khan, if you do not want to be subject to American rules, do not come here.
I doubt whether India will express regret if any common man is detained.
He is just an actor and not holding any office in the Government of
India. Moreover US has the right to check any person. Detention of an
actor is not all an issue. Film personalities are the big looters of
common money. They should not be projected as superior class. Film
industry is not our backbone. Please give more importance to the people
who toil hard at the agricultural field.
I agree safety of the US citizens come first!
Senthil UK
this can only happen in India. Other than congratulating somebody for doing his job, Government of India is busy in keeping protocol of it's 'superstars'. What a joke!
In this, Omar Abdullah makes more sense than Krishna and his coterie of govt officials. Obviously, they do not have more important matters to deal with.
US is absolutely Correct.Safety comes first.SRK is not a state guest.
I find it as an insult that US customs is so sensitive and insensitive
to all men and women who happen to possess a last name, in this case ,
Khan. I am sure the majority of American people do not feel that all
people without "white" skin are a threat.
This not being the first time Mr.Khan has been detained is proof
enough in regards to racial profiling.It is a sad state of our country
and the world as a whole that law abiding and decent people cannot
travel about without being intimidated.
I have for such a long time wanted to visit India. I will be this
coming June. I have many Indian friends in the US and have had contact
with others in Mumbai. I look forward to your great country. I am so
sorry for the treatment of SRK. That is an apology from an American on
the street.
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