Outrage in India over star's treatment
Source: Agencies |
August 17, 2009, Monday
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INDIA reacted with outrage yesterday after Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan said he was detained for questioning at an airport in the United States, though immigration officials denied he was formally held.
Fellow Indian film stars and political leaders condemned what they called "humiliating" treatment given to Khan, a Muslim who is well-loved in a largely Hindu country. One Cabinet minister suggested a "tit-for-tat" policy toward Americans coming to India.
The actor is in the US to promote a new film, "My Name is Khan," which is about racial profiling of Muslims after the September 11, 2001 attacks.
Khan said he was detained on Friday by US immigration officials at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey because his name came up on a computer alert list.
The story was front-page news in India, where the ability to avoid being frisked at airports is seen as a status symbol. Politicians and film stars often claim VIP status to avoid security checks.
"My name is Khan? Too bad. SRK (Shah Rukh Khan) feels the heat of American paranoia," said The Times of India, quoting Khan as saying he felt "angry and humiliated."
Khan later downplayed the incident. "I think it's a procedure that needs to be followed, but an unfortunate procedure," he said on Saturday in suburban Chicago.
US customs officials said that Khan was questioned as part of a routine process that took 66 minutes. Spokesman Elmer Camacho said Khan was not detained, "but it took a little longer because his bag was lost by the airline."
Khan, 44, has acted in more than 70 films, and has consistently topped popularity rankings in India for the past several years.
Fellow Indian film stars and political leaders condemned what they called "humiliating" treatment given to Khan, a Muslim who is well-loved in a largely Hindu country. One Cabinet minister suggested a "tit-for-tat" policy toward Americans coming to India.
The actor is in the US to promote a new film, "My Name is Khan," which is about racial profiling of Muslims after the September 11, 2001 attacks.
Khan said he was detained on Friday by US immigration officials at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey because his name came up on a computer alert list.
The story was front-page news in India, where the ability to avoid being frisked at airports is seen as a status symbol. Politicians and film stars often claim VIP status to avoid security checks.
"My name is Khan? Too bad. SRK (Shah Rukh Khan) feels the heat of American paranoia," said The Times of India, quoting Khan as saying he felt "angry and humiliated."
Khan later downplayed the incident. "I think it's a procedure that needs to be followed, but an unfortunate procedure," he said on Saturday in suburban Chicago.
US customs officials said that Khan was questioned as part of a routine process that took 66 minutes. Spokesman Elmer Camacho said Khan was not detained, "but it took a little longer because his bag was lost by the airline."
Khan, 44, has acted in more than 70 films, and has consistently topped popularity rankings in India for the past several years.
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