Shahrukh detained in Newark Airpork for 2 hours!!! - Page 13

Originally posted by: psychobalehead

@Darkness_123: Thank you!!! 👏


Also,I find it really surprising that SRK is actually using the religion card with such vigor here. Did cat get his tongue during the 26/11 attacks in Mumbai then? How come he kept on insisting that the attackers had no religion despite the fact that those attackers were practicing Muslims? How come he was all about "terrorists have no religion" back then?

Exactly. Use the religion card- get sentiments- he knows Indian media will do what they are best at. Spread the word of pity- create an upheaval.

@ darkness123 - splendid and sound point of view. Something that was very objective. Agree with you

Originally posted by: pichchi

The point is national security overrides every other argument. If a pop star legend like Elvis can come under FBI scrutiny for Communism linkage than what is so huge when a popular, influential indian celebrity is being detained for security purposes. Yes he is a Muslim, Yes there is discrimination in this world. But idealism and idealistic point of view is just saved for text books. Practical world out there has substantive issues to ponder upon rather than mere intricacies like humiliation faced by a particular actor.

Thank you. Exactly my sentiments. My opinion is that the rich and famous are so used to getting away with murder in India, that they expect the same treatment be extended to them throughout the world. Good luck with that!

@red: I agree with this completely. It's an unfortunate truth that the religion is facing more heat than others for no fault of majority of its followers. But the lives of millions of people matter more in such a situation. In an ideal world, such things would never happen, but we have to open our eyes and realise we're not living in an utopia.

Originally posted by: psychobalehead

@Darkness_123: Thank you!!! 👏

Also,I find it really surprising that SRK is actually using the religion card with such vigor here. Did cat get his tongue during the 26/11 attacks in Mumbai then? How come he kept on insisting that the attackers had no religion despite the fact that those attackers were practicing Muslims? How come he was all about "terrorists have no religion" back then?

Oh how much I long to see this question asked to SRK in an interview. I'd really like to see his reply to this. *snort* Looks like he'll go far in politics. :P

'Because my name is Khan'

In what is an irony of Bollywoodish proportions, Khan has just finished a month-long shoot in the US for his film, My Name Is Khan, which is about a Muslim man's experience with racial profiling.

Back home, SRK's friends are outraged. Priyanka Chopra said, "It is shocking, disturbing and downright disgraceful. It is such behaviour that fuels hatred and racism. SRK's a world figure for God's sake. Get real." And Karan Johar said, "I am shocked and upset."

Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni denounced Shah Rukh's detention in no uncertain terms. "I don't think that this manner of detaining (in the name of religion) is justified. But in the US, several examples have surfaced where frisking takes place more than required," she told reporters in New Delhi. "There should be a tit-for-tat response."

The outrage in India over SRK's detention had the new US ambassador Timothy Roemer go into quick damage control mode.

Suggested turn
Within hours of the news breaking on television, Roemer issued a statement saying that the embassy was trying to check the facts from authorities in the US. At the same time, he issued a soothing statement recognising Shah Rukh's massive fan following. "Shah Rukh Khan, the actor and global icon, is a very welcome guest in the United States.Many Americans love his films," Roemer said.

Overseas Indian Affairs Minster Vayalar Ravi expressed surprise at SRK's detention. "Shah Rukh Khan is the pride of India. I am quite surprised that he was detained in the Newark airport," said Ravi.

Shah Rukh admitted that he became "greatly worried" as the American officials piled him with questions, mainly about his travel to the US. The actor said a large number of Indians, including organisers of the Chicago event, were waiting outside at the airport to receive him. He said it was ironic that the incident happened on the eve of August 15 (2009), when freedom is celebrated by Indians.

Further elaborating on the episode, Shah Rukh said, "I was made to answer silly questions which had no relation with a legal and a general interrogation. They didn't let me use my phone for an hour. I was travelling alone as the US consulate hadn't allowed a visa to my bodyguard who coincidentally has the same name. As it is, I am quite reluctant to visit the US and I would make sure that I avoid it in the future."

Asked about Ambika Soni's statement on the issue where she had called for a tit-for-tat response for foreigners in India, he said in a lighter vein, "Yes, if they want I can frisk Angelina Jolie when she is here (India)."

Added Khan, "This has happened with me before and that's why it concerns me all the more. As it is I shy away from coming to the US because I don't want to participate in their paranoia about religion and everything that the US has developed into over the years. I don't want to say that it happened because I am a Muslim as it may lead to something else, but I think it had something to do with that only. We can only avoid this by not coming to the US."

Suggesting what can be done to avoid such embarrassments, the actor said, "I guess they need to modify the system. I am sure they can do much better than this, being the advanced country America is."

Interestingly, in an earlier interview to DNA, SRK had spoken to being at the receiving end of such racial profiling at London airport too. He had said, "Internationally, if you have a Muslim surname, you might be considered a terrorist. At London airport, every time I go, people recognize me, but they see my second name and give me an extra checking."

The actor ended up by saying, "This particular episode makes me appreciate our independence one million times more. I need an incident like this to strengthen my faith in God further. I am looking forward to coming back to my country."

Link http://www.dnaindia.com/world/report_because-my-name-is-khan_1282609

'It's a nonsensical procedure'

It's a nonsensical procedure. After 20 minutes of interrogation, you are bound to lose your cool and when you do they make it even more difficult for you. I can imagine Shah Rukh trying to explain to them that he is a popular film star and for all you know they must have been ticked off about it. "So what if you are a super star?," must have been their reaction. And then they must have harassed him even more.

No one has a problem with security. If anything it's a must. But it's the way security is conducted in the US that makes it such a sham. Grilling someone named Osama is stupid because not every person named Osama is going to detonate a bomb. The security measures are in fact counter-productive. In Shah Rukh's case for example a lot of his fans are now going to be prejudiced against US security measures. Besides, if Shah Rukh refuses to shoot another movie in the US, they lose out on revenue and tourism.

I am surprised that in the eight years since 9/11, America hasn't learnt anything about security checks from their Israeli friends. I have been to Israel and believe me, they are a lot more finicky about security. But their method of conducting it is not at all in-your-face, like in the US. They take every possible security measure at airports without offending any visiting tourists.

Every time I am at a US airport, I am anxious and hoping that I am not detained. Not being detained comes as a pleasant surprise. Those few minutes at the airport can be quite excruciating. Unless I have to shoot a film in the US and can't do it anywhere else, I am not terribly excited about going there anymore. I have nothing against the people it's the authorities that are a pain. I wouldn't want my kids to go through such an ordeal."

As told to DNA

Link http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report_it-s-a-nonsensical-procedure_1282723

SRK incident has lowered image of US security set-up, says ex-envoy

Reacting to the incident, Chandra said: "The authorities should have taken maximum 10-15 minutes for questioning Shah Rukh, but it took two hours. It is great incompetence and has lowered the image of [US] homeland security."

A source said Khan was detained at the airport and questioned for two hours. They said he was released only after Indian officials intervened.

A source here said India's consulate general in New York was in touch with Khan and the matter has been taken up with the US embassy in New Delhi as well.

According to another sources, the Indian consulate could register a formal complaint against the security agencies involved in this "embarrassing" incident.

Some experts said a formal complaint should be sent to the US envoy in Delhi. Chandra, however, said making it a big diplomatic issue would be counterproductive because the incident had nothing to do with US policy, but was the handiwork of lower-rung officers deployed at the airport.

Link http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_srk-incident-has-lowered-image-of-us-security-set-up-says-ex-envoy_1282632

Shah Rukh Khan detention: Ambika Soni suggests tit for tat

She said many examples like this have come from the United States where frisking is done "beyond permissible limits".

Khan was detained by US immigration officers, who wanted to know why he was visiting the country. Commenting on the incident, the star said he was detained as his name was similar to someone else's.

"I don't understand in the name of religion, frisking can be done for anyone like this," an angry Soni said.

Link http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_shah-rukh-detention-ambika-soni-suggests-tit-for-tat_1282626

Overseas Indian Affairs Minster Vayalar Ravi expressed surprise at SRK's detention. "Shah Rukh Khan is the pride of India. I am quite surprised that he was detained in the Newark airport," said Ravi.

It's a sad day for India when it's "PRIDE" is said to be a mere movie star, instead of the fact that it is the world's largest democracy, it's cultural and geographical diversity, its numerous accomplishments in science, technology, being one of the fastest growing economies etc. And the saddest thing is, he's not even the best actor India has. Sure, he's one of the most successful, so if they're talking about tax payers, then alright, carry on! 👍🏼

India takes up Shahrukh Khan case with US

"The matter was taken up with the US Embassy," External Affairs Ministry spokesman Vishnu Prakash said soon after the reports about detention of the actor reached here. He said the Embassy was ascertaining factual details of the incident.

Consul General of India in New York is in touch with Khan, Prakash added. US Ambassador to India Timothy J Roemer issued a separate statement, saying "We are trying to ascertain the facts of the case--to understand what took place."

Describing Shahrukh Khan as a "global icon", Roemer said "he is a very welcome guest in the United States. Many Americans love his films."

Prakash said the Consulate General of India in New York got in touch with Khan immediately upon learning that he had been taken for secondary questioning at Newark airport.

Khan said that he was all right. The Consulate offered him any assistance that he may require, the MEA spokesman said.

Link http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_india-takes-up-shahrukh-case-with-us_1282621

Shah Rukh Khan detention: Ambika Soni suggests tit for tat

New Delhi: The government today reacted sharply to the detention of Hindi film superstar Shah Rukh Khan at an American airport, saying many such incidents have taken place in that country and suggesting a tit-for-tat approach.

"I am of the opinion that the way we are frisked, for example I too was frisked, we should do the same to them," information and broadcasting minister Ambika Soni said.

She said many examples like this have come from the United States where frisking is done "beyond permissible limits".

Khan was detained by US immigration officers, who wanted to know why he was visiting the country. Commenting on the incident, the star said he was detained as his name was similar to someone else's.

"I don't understand in the name of religion, frisking can be done for anyone like this," an angry Soni said.

Link http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_shah-rukh-detention-ambika-soni-suggests-tit-for-tat_1282626

What a joke! Security measures being implemented only to embarrass Americans? HOW ABOUT IMPLEMENTING SOME SECURITY TO ENSURE WE'RE NOT GETTING BLOWN UP? HUH?

Who elects these jokers?!!?!? SERIOUSLY?