Shahrukh detained in Newark Airpork for 2 hours!!!

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Mandy

@mandy0310

Alumni

+ 8

Posted: 16 years ago

#241

While I feel bad for SRK, he's not the first to go through something like this. Just because SRK is a celebrity doesn't mean he'll get different treatment from others who have been through the same.

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Abdul Rahman Ansari

@ar78655

Rocker

Posted: 16 years ago

#242

ATLANTIC CITY/CHICAGO: After his "ordeal" at the hands of immigration officials at the Newark airport, Bollywood superstar Shahrukh Khan has said he does not feel like stepping on American soil any more but ruled out seeking an apology for the incident which was denied by US officials.

Driving straight to the venue of a function at the luxury Trump Taj Mahal hotel in Atlantic City in tattered jeans, a white T-shirt, a brownish coat and a muffler since his baggage was yet to arrive, Khan told the audience that "I was treated shabbily just because I happened to have Khan as my last name."

Profusely apologising to his fans for arriving two hours late at the casino city of New Jersey for Saturday's function, 'King' Khan stunned the large number of Indian-Americans when he told them that he does not feel like stepping on the American soil any more, but it is the love and affection of millions of his fans in the US which would bring him to this country again and again.

Sharing his "ordeal" which he underwent as he landed at the Newark International Liberty Airport on a British Airways flight, with his fans, the 43-year-old actor said he was grilled by immigration officials.

"It was very unprofessional of the airport security staff of not allowing me to use my cell phone to contact my local organisers," he told the audience, who were literally taken aback by what they heard from their superstar.

Link http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/news/india/Dont-feel-like-stepping-on-American-soil-any-more-Shahrukh/articleshow/4898395.cms

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Abdul Rahman Ansari

@ar78655

Rocker

Posted: 16 years ago

#243

SRK detained at US airport for being a Khan

MUMBAI: Superstar Shahrukh Khan was detained for about two hours early Saturday morning (around 1am IST) at Newark airport in the US because his surname featured on the most common list. The actor, who is visiting the US to attend a South Asian event where he was the guest of honour was released after Congress MP Rajiv Shukla spoke to the authorities in the US and the Indian counsulate. ( Watch Video )

The actor was detained after his name flashed on the computer. He was asked several questions about the purpose of his visit. His hand baggage was checked. He was not allowed to even make a phone call for nearly an hour.

Speaking to TOI, the actor said: "I told them I was a movie star and had recently visited the country for the shooting of my film. Nothing seemed to convince the immigration officer. There were other immigration officers who even vouched for me but this particular officer did not listen to anyone. I even told them I had an invitation from the South Asian community and was there to attend an event.'' Shahrukh is to return to India on August 18 (2009).

Shukla, who came to the actor's rescue condemned this act saying, "It is really not fair. Just because he has a common surname does not mean that every Muslim can be taken as a suspect or considered to be a terrorist. The Amercian authorities should adopt a methodology so that well-known names like Shahrukh Khan and APJ Abdul Kalam are not harassed like this. They should focus on getting the actual suspects.''

Link http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/news/india/SRK-detained-at-US-airport-for-being-a-Khan/articleshow/4896236.cms

Edited by Lubnavaishali - 16 years ago

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Abdul Rahman Ansari

@ar78655

Rocker

Posted: 16 years ago

#244

My name is Khan? Too bad. SRK feels the heat of American paranoia

WASHINGTON/MUMBAI: ''My name is Khan.'' ''Oh it is, is it? Step aside, please''.

The way it was related, that might well have been the opening exchange between Shahrukh Khan and an unnamed, uniformed, super-empowered US immigration official who had no idea (and didn't care) that the man in front of him is the star of a film by the same name (My Name is Khan), much less that he is a universal Bollywood icon. ( Watch Video )

SRK, as the actor star is known by his popular acronym, was asked to indeed step aside for a ''secondary inspection'' at Newark's ironically named (in this context) Liberty International airport on Friday en route to an event to celebrate India's Independence Day in Chicago, President Barack Obama's hometown. But that was only after a ''primary inspection.''

A ''secondary inspection'' is when the Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) officer manning the immigration counter asks a visitor (or even a US citizen) to move to a separate area for questioning if he cannot initially verify the visitor's information or does not have all of the required documentation, so as to not hold up the rest of the queue.

It is not clear why Khan, who is a frequent visitor to the US, and only recently spent a month here shooting for "My Name is Khan," was subjected to a ''secondary inspection,'' which in itself does not constitute detention.

But the actor surmises that it was because of his last name; in other words, his Muslim identity. He was questioned for nearly two hours, asked what he thought were irrelevant questions, denied the use of his cell phone (which isn't unusual; visitors cannot use mobile phones before clearing immigration) and was finally allowed to make just one phone call under the rules.

''I told them I was a movie star and had recently visited the country for the shooting of my film. Nothing seemed to convince the immigration officer. There were other immigration officers who even vouched for me but this particular officer did not listen to anyone. I even told them I had an invitation from the South Asian community and was there to attend an event.'' Khan told ToI.

Indian and US officials rushed into damage control mode after word came in from Khan's family that that the actor had been ''detained'' and Khan's vast fan base went ballistic. Timothy Roemer, the new US ambassador in New Delhi whose first week on the job it is, said he was trying to ascertain what exactly had happened at Liberty, and that Shahrukh Khan was a global icon whose film were much loved even by Americans and he was always welcome in the US.

But Khan, from all accounts, doesn't feel so welcome and says he will review his plans to visit the US again. In a slew of media interviews after the incident, he said his papers were in order, it seemed to be a case of religious profiling, and the incident was a ''little embarrassing'' for an entertainer of his stature.

Khan's upcoming film ''My Name is Khan,'' a movie about an Indian Muslim setting out on a journey across the United States, is certain to get a boost after the incident.

It is not the first time that an Indian entertainer with a Muslim identity has been asked to step aside for additional scrutiny. Actors Aamir Khan and Irrfan Khan have had similar experience. So has the Canadian-Indian writer Rohinton Mistry, a Parsi, who once cancelled a book tour of the US soon after 9/11 because he felt he was being needlessly profiled. Other Indian visitors, not necessarily Muslims, have felt singled out.

The incident comes days after a US government panel, gratuitously in the eyes of many Indians, panned New Delhi for its "inadequate protection of religious minorities," even as the US President and Secretary of State lavished praise on Indian democracy on the occasion of the country's Independence Day on August 15. It also comes on the heels of the flap over security procedures former President APJ Abdul Kalam has been subjected to in violation of protocol.

But there is an American side to the story too. US officials who have spoken to this correspondent on the subject in the past feel that some Indian visitors are needlessly huffy about routine security procedures, and there is a broad cultural mismatch or misunderstanding between the two countries in their view of rules and authority. India, one official said, has too much of a ''VIP culture'' that gives some people a false sense of privilege and entitlement that does not sit well in a world of ever increasing security threats. Even minor delays and inconveniences are exaggerated and conflated into major protocol breaches by some Indians.

The conversations took place during the kerfuffle over then Defence Minister George Fernandes' visit to the US, when he said a ''pat down'' was frequently described in the Indian media as a ''strip search.'' The official also said the US VIP list was much more restrictive and even Senators and Congressmen underwent security screening. In the US, except Presidents (who usually travels on Air Force One), former Presidents, and Cabinet principals, there's no VIP treatment to others – as former vice-president Al Gore has experienced more than once. In one recent incident, an airline employee who helped Gore circumvent security screening at the Nashville airport was pulled up and the former Veep was brought back to go through security, which he did willingly and without making a fuss.

For now though, the cry has already gone up in India for ''pay back'' and subjecting US VIPs visiting India to the same treatment as the Khans say they get in US. Even senior government ministers have jumped into the fray. ''I am of the opinion that the way we are frisked, for example I too was frisked, we should also do the same to them,'' Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni told a news agency. Others have suggested the ''Brazilian model,'' where Brazilia adopted similar security protocol as Washington, including photographing and fingerprinting visitors. Khan himself is said to have joked that Angelina Jolie must be subjected to the same treatment.

Of course, if Jolie or Clooney or Pitt (or Congressmen and Senators) are subjected to such treatment, it is unlikely we would ever hear about it since they seldom make a to-do about such things. But then it is even less likely that they would be subjected to such a welcome, given the Indian mix of VIP culture and Athithi Devo Bhava – even at the risk of imperiling security.

What happens at a US port of entry (POE)

Inspection at a US Port of Entry: What to expect/What do CBP officials do?

* Upon arrival at the POE you must present your passport and other required documents. CBP officers will review these to determine whether to allow you to enter the US.

* Your first encounter with CBP officers will be at a primary inspection station where they ask foreign nationals questions to determine their identity and nationality.

* If they decide to admit you the CBP officer will also determine how long you will be allowed to stay in the US, and in what status you will be admitted.

* CBP officers review passports, visas, and other supporting documents of each and every foreign national arriving at a US POE. The CBP officers also compare fingerprint records and name check databases for recent derogatory information, ask questions about the foreign nationals general qualifications for the visas they have, review the Form I-94 Arrival and Departure Record (or, for Visa Waiver travelers, Form I-94W).

What Kind of questions do the CBP officers ask?

CBP officers at US POEs will ask you questions to determine the true intent of your trip to the US. Inspections Officers are trained, and have the experience to back up their training, to identify if a foreign national has a pre-conceived intent behind their trip to the US, i.e., they are looking to see if you are actually coming to go to school or for a job interview when you say you are coming to visit Disneyland. If an officer is not convinced with your initial statements, they may ask for additional supporting documentation be allowing you to enter the US.

CBP officials – their power and authority – what they can do?

CBP officers have complete power and authority at the POE. It is up to their discretion to conclude whether or not a foreign national is eligible to enter the US. It is only after a CBP officer stamps and dates the I-94 form, places an admission stamp in the foreign national's passport, and the foreign national passes through the inspection station that the foreign national is admitted to the United States.

Secondary Inspection – what leads you to a secondary inspection?

If the first CBP officer that a foreign national meets feels that the inspection requires additional time for review to determine a foreign national's eligibility, the officer may refer the foreign national for a "secondary inspection." This secondary inspection is a much more comprehensive review, and can take several hours to complete. Generally a foreign national referred for secondary inspection is not considered to be "admitted" to the United States.

What generally happens in a secondary inspection?

In secondary inspection, CBP officers will ask a foreign national more detailed questions about their travel plans for the US. Foreign nationals may even be asked to produce additional identification and other documentation in order to determine their actual identity and purpose of their visit to the United States. The foreign national and their belongings may also be searched, and the foreign national may be required to give a full set of fingerprints.

Any person, foreign national or person with a claim to US citizenship and presenting a US passport, may be sent to secondary inspection if the CBP officer has reservations about admitting him to the United States. A person may also be sent to secondary inspection if there is a possibility the person is smuggling contraband or violating any other customs or immigration regulations, or federal law in general.

Link http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/news/india/My-name-is-Khan-Too-bad-SRK-feels-the-heat-of-American-paranoia/articleshow/4897426.cms

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Abdul Rahman Ansari

@ar78655

Rocker

Posted: 16 years ago

#245

I'm 'angry, humiliated': Shah Rukh

MUMBAI: Shah Rukh Khan on Saturday termed the incident at Newark Airport in the US as "uncalled" for saying the experience made him feel "angry and humiliated".

"I was really hassled at the American Airport because of my name being Khan...The couple of hours of interrogation wanting to know if I know anyone in America while all around people were vouching for me from India

and Pakistan (sic)," the Bollywood superstar said in a statement.

"Only these guys just would not let me through. Finally they allowed me to make a call, which I did and the Indian Consulate helped me through.

Khan, who was on his way to Chicago to attend an Independence Day function was was detained at the Newark Airport and questioned for about two hours before the Indian mission intervened and secured his release.

"It was absolutely was uncalled for I think, me having just finished working there for more than a month...just a couple of weeks ago. They said I have a common name which is causing the delay...checked my bags...I felt angry and humiliated," Khan, who had just finished shooting of his latest movie "My Name is Khan", said.

Link http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/news/india/Im-angry-humiliated-Shah-Rukh/articleshow/4897145.cms

Edited by Lubnavaishali - 16 years ago

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Abdul Rahman Ansari

@ar78655

Rocker

Posted: 16 years ago

#246

SRK was cleared in 66 minutes, say US officials

WASHINGTON: Allegations that Bollywood megastar Shah Rukh Khan was ''detained'' for two hours on account of his last name are incorrect, US Customs and Border Protection officials said on Saturday, maintaining that the process of clearing him lasted a little more than an hour and even that delay was because his baggage had not arrived on the same flight he did.

In clarifications to the media aimed at giving their version of the episode that has created a ruckus in India and attracted wide coverage in the US CBP officials gave the following sequence of events. After a preliminary check at the immigration counter, Khan was recommended for a secondary check in a separate room (for reasons the CBP would not specify).

Because there were other people ahead of Khan in the room, this process took a little time and this was further extended because the airline had failed to load his checked luggage on the same flight. Still, the whole process took a little more than an hour, officials said, maintaining that ''C.B.P. strives to treat all travelers with respect and in a professional manner, while maintaining the focus of our mission to protect all citizens and visitors in the US.'' The New York Post quoted one official saying the whole process took 66 minutes.

Meanwhile, Khan reeled back a little from his initial rage against the security process, telling a news agency, ''I think it is a procedure that needs to be followed. But it is an unfortunate procedure.'' In engagements in Atlantic City and Chicago over the weekend, he said he does not feel like stepping on American soil anymore, but the ''love and affection of his fans'' would keep bringing him back. He also ruled out seeking an apology for the incident.

The Khan episode attracted plenty of attention in the US and across the world with media outlets and blogs holding forth on the incident. ''Wrath of Profiled Khan'' the New York Post said in a story, while the New York Times blogged on the incident under the headline ''Questioning a Bollywood VIP.'' The incident was also reported extensively in the Islamic world. ''Muslim name holds India Star at US airport,'' the portal Islam Online reported.

While thousands of fans reacted with blind outrage over the perceived slight to their hero, others saw felt the incident was blown out of proportion (variously by Khan, his supporters, and even the media). A few saw it as a publicity stunt. ''He's come to America tons of time before and it has to happen when he was promoting ''My Name is Khan'' about a Muslim boy who goes to US post-9/11?'' asked Anirudh Bhati, a student from Gandhinagar, Gujarat, in an online message to ToI. ''Now I'm gonna watch the movie no matter what happens.''

Link http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/news/world/us/SRK-was-cleared-in-66-minutes-say-US-officials/articleshow/4899560.cms

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Abdul Rahman Ansari

@ar78655

Rocker

Posted: 16 years ago

#247

Shah Rukh Khan not to seek apology for 'unfortunate' US procedure

Chicago: Seeking to downplay the "unfortunate procedure" at Newark airport under which he was questioned for two hours, Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan today said he would not demand an apology, even as US authorities denied that he was singled out because of his name or Asian identity.

"I think it is a procedure that needs to be followed. But it is an unfortunate procedure," a visibly calm Khan said here on the sidelines of a function here.

The 43-year-old actor's comments came a day after he was detained and questioned at Newark airport by US immigration officials after his name matched with some of those on a common checklist, sparking angry reactions back home. He was let off at the intervention of Indian Consulate officials.

Asked whether he would seek an apology for the incident, Khan, who was here to take part in the South Asian Carnival on the occasion of India's Independence Day, replied in the negative.

Soon after the incident, the actor had termed it as "uncalled for", saying that "I did feel bad. I felt angry. I am glad my family wasn't there. God knows what they would have done to them."

"I was really hassled at the American Airport because of my name being Khan...It is a Muslim name and I think the name is common on their checklist," said Khan, who has also figured in US magazine Newsweek's list of 50 most powerful people in the world.

Meanwhile, US Customs and Border Protection spokesman Elmer Camacho denied that Khan was detained and questioned for two hours at the Newark airport or that the actor was singled out because of his name or Asian identity.

The allegations "happen to be incorrect," he said, adding Khan was inspected because his baggage had not arrived.

Part of the inspection process is to examine the baggage. However his bags were not available due to the airline not loading them on the flight he arrived on, the spokesman said. That is why his inspection took longer, the airline could not provide his bags for inspection.

"His documents and papers were checked, which were found to be in correct order," Camacho said.

After a "normal" check at the airport, Khan was taken to a different room where he was waiting for his turn since many other people were already there. "The entire process ended in a little over one hour," the spokesman said.

The procedure, he said, was handled in a "professional manner" and there was no evidence of Khan being pointed out because of his name or Asian identity.

To a question on Khan's contention that he was asked by immigration officials about his work in the US, the spokesman said "it's our policy not to discuss all specific (details) of any traveller". However, when any traveller enters the US, he or she is subjected to inspection, he added.

Link http://www.dnaindia.com/world/report_shah-rukh-not-to-seek-apology-for-unfortunate-us-procedure_1282746

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Abdul Rahman Ansari

@ar78655

Rocker

Posted: 16 years ago

#248

Salman Khan criticizes US authorities for detaining Shah Rukh Khan

Mumbai: Bollywood actor Salman Khan has criticized US airport authorities for detaining and questioning fellow star Shah Rukh Khan.

Shah Rukh was enroute to Chicago for a parade to mark the Indian Independence Day on Saturday when he was taken aside for questioning at Newark Airport in New Jersey on Friday.

"Just because of few Muslims, billions of the community members face problems, which is not right," Salman said.

A US consul official in India told a television channel that they were inquiring into the matter.

As news of Khan's detention broke on Indian television channels, fans and actors began posting angry comments on the Internet.

Minister for Information and Broadcasting Ambika Soni told a television station that while she could not say if Shah Rukh Khan had been detained "on religious grounds, there have been too many instances like these in the US concerning Indians".

Last month, US-based carrier Continental Airlines apologised to former Indian president APJ Abdul Kalam for frisking him at New Delhi Airport.

Link http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report_salman-criticizes-us-authorities-for-detaining-shah-rukh_1282785

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Queen of the Damned

@darkness_123

Rocker

+ 3

Posted: 16 years ago

#249

"It is something I feel terrible about. When such things happen racism and hatred increases. Even President Kalam (former President A P J Abdul Kalam) was frisked. I am not saying that you should not frisk-do your job or check. But without any reason detaining a person for two hours-Shahrukh Khan is Shahrukh Khan," said Priyanka Chopra.

"He is probably the one of the greatest most famous known Indian celebrity ever in this generation. For any person I think it is unfortunate, It is shocking and very disgraceful if he detained for two hours just because of his name or without a reason," she added.

I honestly cannot believe these words are coming out of Priyanka's mouth. It's called a filter, Prriyanka, where you THINK BEFORE YOU TALK and filter out stuff that makes no sense. Does she not realise how incredibly stuck up, unreasonable, and goddamned stupid it sounds? Get off your high horse, woman. Just coz YOU like to kiss his butt doesn't mean everyone should, and certainly not bend NATIONAL SECURITY LAWS for him. Is she criminally stupid? Just because someone's an icon in YOUR country doesn't mean he's well known in other countries. Is she aware of Rodrigo Santoro? Well, he's Brazil's "Tom Cruise", who has also appeared in some Hollywood movies and American TV shows. Brazil is a country that is swiftly catching up to India on the population ratings, so he's almost equally well known in that country (not even counting his American fanbase here). Well, she should, since he's a "world figure" too. What is she trying to say, "superstars" & "world figures" should have whole different laws, because they earn the equivalent of a GDP of a small country?

A truly ignorant statement to make, when it's been said over and over and over that the delay was mostly because of his luggage going missing. Seriously, I never liked her, but now I'm beginning to think she's hopelessly desperate to stay in SRK's good books for some reason.

I'm fully on Salman's side here. Just because of a few Muslims, the rest of the community has to face such humiliation. Yes, it's unfortunate, but it's also the TRUTH. Just being in denial and going and protesting outside Salman's house is meaningless.

It's no surprise countries like China want to split us up into 20, 30 states. Look at the "unity" we're displaying. 👏 This country is going no place good until it truly learns the meaning of secularism.

Edited by darkness_123 - 16 years ago

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Abdul Rahman Ansari

@ar78655

Rocker

Posted: 16 years ago

#250

Film industry outraged over treatment meted out to Shah Rukh Khan

Mumbai: 'Shocking', 'disgraceful' and 'madness' is how Bollywood today reacted to the detention of Indian cinema icon Shah Rukh Khan at a US airport, apparently because of his surname.

His close friends Karan Johar, Farah Khan, Juhi Chawla and Aziz Mirza as well as industry veterans like Mahesh Bhatt and Raza Murad slammed the the ill-treatment meted out to the megastar.

"Shocked and upset... feeling terrible for Shah Rukh...," Johar, a well-known film director, wrote on his twitter page while Juhi said the detention was "as absurd as Brad Pitt coming to India, being strip-searched, investigated and interrogated".

Choreographer-turned director Farah Khan, one of his closest friends, asked, "if he can be discriminated (on the basis of religion), who else is left. Shahrukh was on Time Magazine among its 50 Most Influential People. It is not only discrimination but lack of knowledge also."

Filmmaker Bhatt said, "it is shocking that Shahrukh Khan, who is by every definition a global icon, should be subjected to something like that".

Actress Priyanka Chopra, who had worked with Shahrukh in Don, termed the incident as "disgraceful".

"Shocking, disturbing and downright disgraceful. Its such behaviour that fuels hatred and racism. SRK's a world figure for Gods sake. GET REAL!!," an angry Chopra wrote on her Twitter page.

Khan, one of the most prominent faces of Bollywood on the global stage, was on his way to attend an Independence Day celebration function in Chicago when he was detained and questioned for two hours at Nerwark Airport.

His detention is not the isolated case for Indian film industry. Malayalam superstar Mammootty too was detained at the JFK airport recently because of his middle name 'Ismail'.

Irrfan Khan, who faced a similar problem last year in US despite his global fame following the success of Slumdog Millionaire, said, "we should point out loopholes in their airport security system".

The other film personalities subjected to such treatment include New York director Kabir Khan and Neil Nitin Mukesh. Kabir had alleged that he had to go through the security drill thrice despite being cleared the first time.

Kabir, who made a movie on the paranoia towards Asians in the post 9/11 US society, said it is a clear case of fear psychosis. "Shah Rukh just happens to be a superstar so we took notice of it. It is happening everyday.

"You just type his name on google and you get more hits than Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise combined. There is a clear element of arrogance in the entire episode," he said.

Filmmaker Aziz Mirza, who directed Shahrukh first in TV serial 'Circus' in 1980s and hit movies like Yes Boss and Chalte Chalte, felt that whatever the US authorities had done was "sheer madness".

"Shah Rukh is a big star. Everyone knows him everywhere. The security officer might have done it out of his personal agenda and he might have done it in the garb of law," Mirza said.

Veteran actor Raza Murad said that the incident was a clear case of "racial discrimination".

"This is clearly a case of racial discrimination. They are going out of their way to humiliate Indians and if they come to know a passenger is Muslim, they try to discourage him from visiting the US," Murad said.

"Shah Rukh has shot several films in the US. If they had any doubt about his identity, they could have surfed the Internet where there are over five lakh images and references about him," Murad added.

Link http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report_film-industry-outraged-over-treatment-meted-out-to-shah-rukh_1282689