Shah Rukh Khan detained for 2 hours at Newark Airport in US

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304 | August 15, 2009 at 1:22 am | 256 views | NaachGaana Bol| Share

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Shah Rukh Khan detained for 2 hours at Newark Airport in US
Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan was detained for two hours at a US airport after American immigration officials spotted the ‘Khan’ in his name, his aide said.

Shah Rukh was on its way to Chicago to attend a function to mark India’s Independence Day when the incident took place at Newark airport.

“He was detained because his surname is Khan. He was kept until officials from the Indian embassy intervened. Now he has been released,” Niloufer Qureshi, Shah Rukh’s manager, told IANS over telephone from Mumbai.

Please read rest from here

Christopher Duncan (Obama of MNIK) – “I was very disappointed with what SRK experienced at the airport

SRK’s drama at US airport had promotional angle – Khan

Shahrukh Khan on the Daily Show

After SRK episode, Salman Khan cancels trip to US

Relax, Aamir and Shah Rukh

There Are 304 Responses So Far. »

Ankit 15 August 2009
02:53:25 am

This is very wrong anybody just because his name is Khan. Whether it is Shah Rukh Khan or any XYZ Khan, it is very sick. Checking the luggages and all is okay, but you can’t just detain a person like this.

Ankit 15 August 2009
02:54:31 am

Correction- This is very wrong TO DETAIN anybody just because his name is Khan.

neelu 15 August 2009
03:14:39 am

Hmm, I am usually detained in England and Europe, and my luggage is hand checked. And they assure me it is a random check, but it is always me. AND MY NAME CERTAINLY IS NOT KHAN.

This will be fodder for the publicity mill, though I doubt motivated by that. Neither MNIK cast and crew nor Fox have that kind of clout with BCIS.

RAJ 15 August 2009
03:34:29 am

well…We all know Americans are a paranoid lot….Last year one of my freinds(Who is a muslim) was detained for 8 hrs just because he was a muslim….

SRK is not the first one nor will be last one to face this kind of behavior..Even george fernandese was harassed not once but twice..The same happened with Qalam too….

The best way is to harass all americans whoever arrive at our airports…

ritz 15 August 2009
03:43:08 am

While I completely agree that this is wrong thing to detain a person based on religion; it is wrong on SRK’s part to claim on TV channel that similar treatment was given to President Kalam. Kalam was treated like a normal person and he was asked to undergo some checks to which he agreed fully and has claimed couple of times that it was a routine-job on their part and he does not have any probs with that.
I also wonder if similar treatment was given to another Khan, and if he went on TV channel for saying this – he would have been accused of ‘doing it for publicity’.
I am not saying here that SRK is doing this for publicity – just putting things in different perspective which some ppl always fail to see.

neelu 15 August 2009
04:01:47 am

http://www.indianexpress.com/n.....sue/493630

Cutting across party lines, leaders on Friday reacted sharply to the US Transportation Security Administration’s statement that frisking of former President Abdul Kalam was “in compliance” with American regulatory requirements.

BJP leader Rajiv Pratap Rudy wondered “whether such things are happening due to the ‘kneel down before US’ policy of the UPA government”.

“Government should give a thorough reply on this matter. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will have to give a clarification on the issue,” the former civil aviation minister said.

He also sought to know whether the government is properly maintaining its protocol list or not.

Terming the incident of Kalam being frisked by staff of a US airlines as “sad”, NCP MP Supria Sule said,” there is a protocol and airlines have to follow the guidelines enforced by the operating country”.

neelu 15 August 2009
04:07:13 am

Racial profiling was always there, as for frisking and security, one should go through Tel Aviv! Everyone is frisked and patted down in theaters, malls, everywhere. Maybe the whole world is going to become as “explosive” as the Midddle East – that will be a sad day indeed.

Ankit 15 August 2009
04:13:37 am

There is nothing wrong with checking and all, by detaining and interrogating a person for 2 hours or so is wrong. Checking should always be done -whether it is Bill Gates or Abdul Kalam. Kisi ki shakal me nai likha hota ki woh terrorist hai. Please don’t take me wrong here, but I think itni security toh honi chaiye. Just that Americans are overdoing it.

Shah 15 August 2009
04:30:37 am

In my last exit from India.. the immigration officer put my passport through all sorts of lights.. UV, normal light, his tubelight, magnifying glass, then went to his supervisor, took a good 10 mins.. n finally said its a routine check.

Anyways, it’s really sad that a person is detained and questioned just because of his name. SRK’s “My Name is Khan” actually deals with the same subject…

“I also wonder if similar treatment was given to another Khan, and if he went on TV channel for saying this – he would have been accused of ‘doing it for publicity’”

Ritz… i agree with u… If the other Khan was making “My name is Khan” and went through all this, then there wud have been parallel reports and blogs about how the other Khan has already started the pre-release publicity for his movie

julie 15 August 2009
04:31:08 am

I was once interrogated in Heathrow Airport when I was just a visitor to London and even my NAME IS NOT KHAN. At that time I was not working here. It is normal for Immigrtaion officers to spot someone randomly and question. Although I was never detained for 2 hours. This is not personal or against any one indivdual but yes one can’t rule out the sense of greater vigilance immigration authorities adopt when there have been incidents that have threatened the national security of a country or countries. In the UK since the serial blasts in he underground not only has the vigilance gone up but even visa issuing criterias have become stricter.

Indian airport authorities have become very vigilant too and rightly so. No individual or individuals are above a nations’s security be it the Prime Minister or an actor of any country.

RAJ 15 August 2009
04:53:29 am

“” it is wrong on SRK’s part to claim on TV channel that similar treatment was given to President Kalam.”"”

Did SRK really said anything on TV ??Ritz…i dont think SRK have said anything on this issue on TV nor he has said anything on TV on Qalam..I suggest you make your statements after taking proper information…

RAJ 15 August 2009
05:00:48 am

“”Indian airport authorities have become very vigilant too and rightly so. No individual or individuals are above a nations’s security be it the Prime Minister or an actor of any country.”"

Agree…Checking should be done but not at the expense of an individuals dignity..What would happen if tomorrow the defense minister of Britain or for that matter secretary of state of USA are frisked at any indian airport….Even unke shakal pe bhi likaha nahin he ke they are not CIA or KGB agents…
CIA single handedly is responsible for more killings than all the terrorists organistions put together..Why not all american citizens are frisked at Indian airports…

I more pissed because a dignitary like APJ qalam was frisked by american authorities…

rudresh 15 August 2009
05:17:16 am

Our Minister Ms SOni siad we should do it with Americans.
Why Americans, u shold do it randomly with any one.
Second I donot think every one here believes that ,every one in world (west) knows about SRK and being SRK ,he should not be questioned?

Ankit 15 August 2009
05:18:57 am

Getting off the topic slightly as nothing can be done now. Such checks will continue from Americans no matter how much we discuss it out here.
I think this incident will just make him up the level of performance for Rizwan Khan. Till now he only read and heard and feel about such things. Now that he has experienced it, his performance might just go a level up.

julie 15 August 2009
05:21:16 am

I am not with agreement on that point Raj. Individual’s dignity is a relative point. When someone questioned me at the airport I did not feel humilated but on the contrary when vigilance is exercised, the sense of security is reinstated.

If Ambika Soni is making such a noise about it, why don’t we forget that this is the same Congress Govt. which will lap anything given by the US on a platter. And there are no established facts to prove that CIA is more responsible for killings than global terrorist organiations. Let such statements be substatiated by statistics and proof.

julie 15 August 2009
05:22:26 am

rudresh excatly my point. All this brouhaha is involved becasue this invloves a celebrity.

Ankit 15 August 2009
05:24:14 am

This actually is a poor solution given by Ms. Soni. Tit for Tat hardly solves the issue. It will only worsen up. I think any country should do certain checks for security, but here Americans overdid it.

RAJ 15 August 2009
05:27:21 am

“”Second I donot think every one here believes that ,every one in world (west) knows about SRK and being SRK ,he should not be questioned?
“”"

Rudresh,

You will inderstand ,how it feels to get detained for two hours in a foreign country without allowing any communication, only when you experince the same…Its not about SRK only,Hundreads of Indians face this kind of behaviour especially is american airports….

One of freinds was detained at Auckland NZ for 8 hrs witout any rhyme or reason(Of course he was a muslim)

How can a guy like apj qalam be frisked and detained???If americans treat our Ex presidents in a such a manner there is something wrong in their system…

And the most hillarious aspect is just two days back the US govt rapped india for not able to “”protect minorities”"..How funny??

RAJ 15 August 2009
05:34:46 am

:::I am not with agreement on that point Raj. Individual’s dignity is a relative point. When someone questioned me at the airport I did not feel humilated but on the contrary when vigilance is exercised, the sense of security is reinstated. “”"

Agree ..questioning has to be done for sure at airports ..But singling out for religion..??? For 2 hrs???SRK was left out only because Indian embassy vouched for him..What would have happend in case of a common man…Would the embassy have vouched for him too???

“”" And there are no established facts to prove that CIA is more responsible for killings than global terrorist organiations. Let such statements be substatiated by statistics and proof.”"”

Are u kidding??? You want statsistics for CIA killings??? LOL..

Who is responsible fot Iraq,Afghanistan ??? Who created Osama Bil Laden??? Who was responsible for Vietnam???

rudresh 15 August 2009
05:38:38 am

what happened with Kalam is bad as it happened in Delhi Airport.

And its Indian Govt duty to keep track of such digintories and update the authorites about that, so that there should not be any harrasment for them, if after that there is an incident like this then they should question ?

Best reaction came from Salman Khan ” bhaiya sab ke sath hota hai,kaun si badi baat hai, security hai aur is liye tau bahan fir hamla nahin hua”
all other have knee jerk statement from mahesh bhat,ambika soni to karan johar.

julie 15 August 2009
05:39:59 am

“Are u kidding??? You want statsistics for CIA killings??? LOL..”

Provide us with some links Raj.

Who is responsible fot Iraq,Afghanistan ??? Who created Osama Bil Laden??? Who was responsible for Vietnam???

Again speculative.

RAJ 15 August 2009
05:45:30 am

JUlie,

The entire gambit of terrorism and anti terrorism is based on speculation(For public)…Only security agencies have the documentary proff…Can you provide me any links of any particular person or group involved in all those blasts in India..Can you???? Can you provide any link where Osamas involvement in 9/11 blasts been documenetd…??..Can you provide me a documentary proof of akl qaedas involvement in Tube train blasts in London???If you have any pls provide me..

Thesethings are not for public display..But ask any security expert they will tell you the stories about Iraq,afghanistan and Osama….

julie 15 August 2009
05:53:25 am

weren’t certain terrorists caught in 26/11 which had their origin in a certain nexus? Isn’t that what the Indian govt. has been doing for the past 9 months. Merely investigating. Similarly in the underground blasts the link to the nexus was traced by Scotland yard and M6. there have been hardcore links which have been traced.

I don;t need to provide a link because I never made such a statment:

“CIA single handedly is responsible for more killings than all the terrorists organistions put together”

See who has made that statement. For such a profound and prolific statement as above, I simply requested you to substantaite it. I am not the one making statements out of blue.

rudresh 15 August 2009
05:57:51 am

A country makes policies on basis of its needs and concerns. Security poilcy America made for herself must be on basis of what they think,can be threat to themselves.
If you donot like the policy ,do not go there,it is what you can do from your end.
It is what I think,India should also do “make her policies on basis of what her needs ,threats and concerns are”

RAJ 15 August 2009
06:01:08 am

Julie,

http://www.greenleft.org.au/2001/465/25199

How the CIA created Osama bin Laden

“Throughout the world … its agents, client states and satellites are on the defensive — on the moral defensive, the intellectual defensive, and the political and economic defensive. Freedom movements arise and assert themselves. They’re doing so on almost every continent populated by man — in the hills of Afghanistan, in Angola, in Kampuchea, in Central America … [They are] freedom fighters.”

RAJ 15 August 2009
06:01:23 am

Julie,

Links for you

http://www.greenleft.org.au/2001/465/25199

How the CIA created Osama bin Laden

“Throughout the world … its agents, client states and satellites are on the defensive — on the moral defensive, the intellectual defensive, and the political and economic defensive. Freedom movements arise and assert themselves. They’re doing so on almost every continent populated by man — in the hills of Afghanistan, in Angola, in Kampuchea, in Central America … [They are] freedom fighters.”

RAJ 15 August 2009
06:06:50 am

Rudresh,

“”"”what happened with Kalam is bad as it happened in Delhi Airport.

And its Indian Govt duty to keep track of such digintories and update the authorites about that, so that there should not be any harrasment for them, if after that there is an incident like this then they should question ?

“”"”"

From SB@MancityFan: india govt gives entire list of mps ., ex President , ex pm and all and has a rule to allow them to go without checking . it was a fault more on pat of airline than govt

julie 15 August 2009
06:09:02 am

Osama is a US creation that I do not disagree with. But still how does that prove that CIA singlhandledly and directly is responsible for more killing than all terrorist organiations put together. Allt his proves is that US created OSAMA as Indira Gnadhi created Bhidarwale.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punjab_insurgency

RAJ 15 August 2009
06:11:10 am

Julie,

More Links..

http://www.thirdworldtraveler.com/Bush_Gang/Bushes_bin_Laden.html
http://www.dailykos.com/story/.....-forgeries

RAJ 15 August 2009
06:15:04 am

“”Osama is a US creation that I do not disagree with. But still how does that prove that CIA singlhandledly and directly is responsible for more killing than all terrorist organiations put together. Allt his proves is that US created OSAMA as Indira Gnadhi created Bhidarwale.”"

I never said CIA is directly responsible..Thats not its job…Its job is to become as indirect and indiscreet as possible…That is the job of a Spy agency…Regarding Indira Gandhi and vinderwale…this is a separate argumemt which we would undertake sometime next and more likely i ;ll agree with you on that issue more often than not…

RAJ 15 August 2009
06:17:55 am

Julie,

On a lighter note if Osama and al qaeda is responsible for more terrorist activities and killings tha any other organisation ,thereby making their creater (CIA and US) resposnible for their killings…

RAJ 15 August 2009
06:24:56 am

Kabir khan on SRK episode..

“”When I heard this news, I was so surprised…it has almost become a routine. If you have a Muslim name you are bound to be questioned. It happened with me thrice in the US. I was stopped by immigration officials for three to five hours… they don’t care whether you are a celebrity or whoever.

But when it comes to Shah Rukh, it doesn’t take more than 20 seconds to figure out who he is. Any search engine on the Internet will give more information on him than Hollywood stars Tom Cruise or Brad Pitt and despite that if it took them two hours to figure out, then it’s harassment. Post 9/11 it is prejudice to have a person’s name and religion checked and it is very discouraging as well.

julie 15 August 2009
06:25:38 am

Raj – again we are going on a different tangent.

In that respect the entire, 26/11, and Bombay blasts can be indirectly blamed on the Ayodhya kand no? BJP becomes responsible.

Similalrly the bloodshed and pogram that followed the partition of 1947 can be blamed on the decison by Gandhi on Nehru’s behest to divide the nation.

There is no end to this blame game. It is a vicious circle. To an extent the prevalent factors play a role but then sequence of events that follow are out of bounds and control of any administration.

RAJ 15 August 2009
06:31:18 am

Julie,

That joke aside..When i say CIA is responsible that amounts to US as a state.Because CIA is an organisation run by US…Now the reasons i say because..

1.In afghanistan CIA supported Osama and Taliban againt USSR…Now the thousands of killings happened during that so called “”fredom Fight”" CIA supported the “”Freddom Gighters “‘with intelligence and ammunition and training…So dont you think CIA is resposnible for those deaths there at Afghanistan during late eightuies ANd early ninties…Even they hanges Najibulla the president of Afghanistan during that time..

2.Its CIAs forged and false documnets which promted US to attack Iraq and saddam hussain…In irag about half a million people have died since.Now dont you think CIA is responsible for the situation of Iraq…

rudresh 15 August 2009
06:37:34 am

every news channel giving the news on basis of what SRK said ” he was detained only because my name ends with Khan” and ritz comment is correct, he had made this statement and with further statement that “eaisa har baar hota hai”

and raj reg CIA and other such agencies, their duty is to do what is good for their nation. Right & wrong does not comes in picture. What they did earlier was also what was good for their country and what they r doing now is also what they think is good in present conditions. They create these thing, may be truth,but that what was right for them at that time . And we all know right and wrong is personal perspective. One thing may be right for some one may be wrong for someone

julie 15 August 2009
06:42:25 am

Raj every country has it’s secret intelligence agency which carries out it’s work for its’ goverenemt but not necessarily always in the best interest of it’s citiens or the global citiens.

CIA has instituted damage to the polity of the world, does not diminish the responsibility that a country owes to it’s national security be it endangered by whosoever.

Similarly one bad fish or several bad fishes in Indian politics does not undermine the the responsibility that it’s governement owes to the country’s residents.

Today Osama, Al Qaeeda, LET are all perecived as direct threats to the Western World’s security and so to India.

rudresh 15 August 2009
06:43:29 am

comment for SB
karbarak: Karan Johar is going to put out a new poster of My Name is Khan with the blurb “based on a true story” LMAO

RAJ 15 August 2009
06:48:00 am

Rudresh,

I was oposing to ritzs’ following statement….

“”"it is wrong on SRK’s part to claim on TV channel that similar treatment was given to President Kalam.”"”"

I amm sure even you havent noticed SRK taking APJ’s name….

“”"and raj reg CIA and other such agencies, their duty is to do what is good for their nation. Right & wrong does not comes in picture. What they did earlier was also what was good for their country and what they r doing now is also what they think is good in present conditions. They create these thing, may be truth,but that what was right for them at that time . And we all know right and wrong is personal perspective. One thing may be right for some one may be wrong for someone”"

What ridiculous and insensitive staements…Tomorrow Osama would day ” I am making all these killings because of my religion”"” Israelis say that ..palestines say that so as Pakistanis…Pakistan will always say they do bomb blasts in India because India is a threat to their nation…Recenly One chinese website was talking about balkanising india in to thiry parts…

So if some nation does things as to what they belive right for their country then there would rule of Jungle everywhere…

RAJ 15 August 2009
06:59:06 am

Jukie,

i agree with you….The entire crux of my debate was every country has a right to do whatever possible for their national security…So in essence US is right when they do strict vigil at their airports..But extensive , thorough and objective vigil should only be done with definite intelligence…At the same time you need to respect the human rights of the dignitaries of other nations…I am here outraged not because only SRK is been detained..My outrage is a combination of certain events where my defense minister is frisked(George Fernades) ,My ex president (APJ Qalam) arguably the most popular president of India was detained and frisked…One of my friend was harassed for more than 8 hours and my fellow citizens who are harassed day in day out at US airports…. My outrage is combination of all these factors….

Since CIA is definitely not a freindly Spy agency to India..why all US citizens shoudnt be frisked at Indian airports…????

I will support Ambika Soni if they really can put systems in place for what she said…

rudresh 15 August 2009
07:05:10 am

“What ridiculous and insensitive staements…Tomorrow Osama would day ” I am making all these killings because of my religion””” Israelis say that ..palestines say that so as Pakistanis…Pakistan will always say they do bomb blasts in India because India is a threat to their nation…Recenly One chinese website was talking about balkanising india in to thiry parts…

So if some nation does things as to what they belive right for their country then there would rule of Jungle everywhere…
”
However insenstive they may sound but thats what truth is and My comment was in reference to CIA and other security agencies. To justify that what obama and al quida is doing becuase it is CIA who has created them and had killed more than others is also an absurd statement
And yes it is not what Obama says and what other says . But they say may seems be right to them as I said its personal perspective otherwise they would not had been doing this or do they? But its not right from American perspective and even other world’s perspective so we are doing what we are supposed to do. It is duty of us .Simlarly to save citizens of country is duty of their govt. To do this they made rules and this time if America thinks what is more suitable to their country, they are doing that. Here no question of right and wrong comes.

rudresh 15 August 2009
07:08:02 am

sorry not obama its osama

rudresh 15 August 2009
07:14:31 am

And its what I all to say reg SRK detainment in US and his whole statement coming in Media. its Making a hill of mole and nothing more than that.

rudresh 15 August 2009
07:21:38 am

aur had hai, koi mere ghar aa raha hai, mere se hi pasia banae ki sauch raha hai aur muzhe hi darra raha hai aur bata raha hai ki mein kisko aane doon kisko nahin.

ritz 15 August 2009
07:27:46 am

Raj, As I cant give you direct link to a TV clipping, here is IBN link.
http://ibnlive.in.com/news/det.....259-8.html
———–
Shah Rukh Khan spoke exclusively with CNN-IBN and admitted he was shocked at the behaviour of the immigration officials.
…
…
He also refered to ex President APJ Abdul Kalam’s frisking episode.
“I have extra security because of my name. I can handle this but when you have someone as respectable as an ex-president getting frisked, I am nobody,” he said.
—————-

“I suggest you make your statements after taking proper information…”
Thanks a lot for friendly suggestion, but I am telling what I saw.

Qalandar 15 August 2009
07:55:12 am

Re: “Similalrly the bloodshed and pogram that followed the partition of 1947 can be blamed on the decison by Gandhi on Nehru’s behest to divide the nation.”

Anything could be blamed on anything — the question is whether it could fairly and reasonably be blamed on it, and this would be a most unfair charge.

On this issue, what irritates me is, it’s one thing for SRK to be upset (any individual who is delayed and detained would be), but it is galling that Indian officials are getting more riled up by a celeb being stopped than by the scores of ordinary folks being stopped! It shows something of the mindset, that the aam aadmi can go hang — but how dare a VIP be harrassed!

Qalandar 15 August 2009
07:56:42 am

Brazil has already implemented what Ambika Soni is talking about: I’ve heard that Americans are fingerprinted and subjected to more intensive searches than people from other countries…

julie 15 August 2009
08:15:14 am

“It shows something of the mindset, that the aam aadmi can go hang — but how dare a VIP be harrassed!”

Exactly the point. Do we anticipate the same level of reaction against the US govt. by people on net or by the Indian govt. when the ordinary man has been subject to the same strict measures of vigilance. There are enough examples but no one has made a brouhaha over it like no tomorrow. See NDTV website. There does not seem to be another topic or headline. For all you know this might still just be publicity for MNIK.

My point is that when it will come to taking any strict immigration measures on a tit for tat basis, Congress will find itself on an edge. Proof of the pudding lies in eating.

“whether it could fairly and reasonably be blamed on it, and this would be a most unfair charge.”

Again this was implied in relative terms and is a moot point.

Kunal 15 August 2009
08:19:12 am

My parents were questioned for 2 hours when they came to see me, my brother had to go similar treatment for 30 minutes, and trust me, none of them have “Khan” in their last name.

You can accuse Americans for being over cautious, bordering ridiculousness, but I don’t think its just about Khan thing.

And then these rules have been in place for long now, if you have problem, don’t come here, that goes for SRK as well.

Also, this is not the first time that SRK came to US, he has been over here quiet a few times, so he should remember that this is the first time it happened with him, it might just be a random check, or whatever.

SRK is the most po[ular BW star, just as Michael Jordan and Kobe bryant are basketball stars, but when they come to India, or SRK goes to US< they leave that identity behind, so no point in crying over all this.

SRK or whomsoever, MUST respect laws of the nation they are going to, whether that be Malaysia, or America, or Timbaktu.

Doga 15 August 2009
08:22:14 am

Doga was once detained in Delhi itself and questioned for 3 hours straight, then in the subsequent stoppage in china 1.5 hrs more of questioning and ultimately nothing happened in USA.

Also as neelu says random checking are common to Doga, hand checking is also norm.Doga thinks this happens due to high frequency of travels which he did in early years of my immigration situation.

So this is a OK thing, especially if SRK is going so many times to USA.

But somehow it gives a good publicity to the Movie.

Aarohi 15 August 2009
08:27:09 am

Ambika Soni is being childish.

Doga 15 August 2009
08:27:26 am

Oh i forgot, being turbaned also didnt help Doga during the post 9/11 phase in these situations.

Doga 15 August 2009
08:30:37 am

Even after all this i am with USA for doing all these checkings, its good to take precautions.

As for racial profiling etc, have to live with that.

Aarohi 15 August 2009
08:32:38 am

It shows something of the mindset, that the aam aadmi can go hang — but how dare a VIP be harrassed!

This is how it is.

Qalandar 15 August 2009
08:40:30 am

BTW, I personally have been very lucky: with one exception where I was kept waiting for 30 minutes for an enhanced security clearance (and they were very polite), I have personally also never faced any issue since 9/11. And, as a single, Muslim, male, who is often flying back from Dubai, India, or Pakistan, I must cause all the boxes to be checked So I personally have no complaints as far as the New York JFK airport is concerned. And the same holds true for three close Muslim friends, although one relative has had very different experiences (at airports other than NYC).

And the reverse happened in Rome: I traveled there with a friend who has a beard and a Pakistani passport. he was waved right through, and my US citizen, clean shaven ass was grilled LOL!

Doga 15 August 2009
08:40:39 am

On a individual level i am all with SRK here, the way the officials ask the same question 125 times in 100 different ways, only a person who has gone through will be able to know.
And they dont let go of you unless you all consistent all along.

Doga 15 August 2009
08:50:54 am

Also SRK must be discounted of any Scandalous statements that might be attributed to him in the next couple of days.

He must be in a emotional state of mind and media will be all over him.

Qalandar 15 August 2009
08:51:43 am

Julie: understood; I only responded because these days there is a lot of unfair propaganda about Nehru on the internet, and often from untrustworthy and unreliable sources (quite a few of these display a poor grasp of history in general, as well as of Nehru in particular; many seem more anxious to assign responsibility to Nehru than even to the Muslim League, or the British). Didn’t mean to suggest that you were laying such an unfair charge against a man who tried very hard to avoid partition, but in the end was left with no choice given British refusal to hand over power in undivided India to the Congress alone, and given the Muslim League’s position; just wanted to clarify. Apologies if that didn’t come through clearly.

ritz 15 August 2009
09:19:59 am

“Similalrly the bloodshed and pogram that followed the partition of 1947 can be blamed on the decison by Gandhi on Nehru’s behest to divide the nation.”

Now, this is diversion – but Julie; it WAS NOT Gandhiji’s decision and he always opposed it. Lord Mountbatten had approved the details of the agreement on partition (the comitee formed did not have Gandhiji). Later that day there was a meeting between Lord Mountbatten and Gandhiji. Mountbatten told Gandhiji about the decision and Gandhiji was very upset. Mountbatten requested him to tone down his opposition in his speech which was due THAT evening – in order to control the chaotic public reaction all over. Gandhiji in that speech just said something on the lines of “Don’t hold British responsible for the partition; but look inside yourself for your mistakes”
–>Just one hour later it was declared on the Radio that 4 senior congressmen have signed on the agreement, and people assumed Gandhji was amongst them. Gandhiji was not even in picture for the terms of agreement from start of it neither did he sign any agreement. He always opposed it PUBLICLY. It was bound to happen due to some other people. Everything was already in place and they only requested Gandhiji not to blast the decision in his “THAT PARTICULATE” speech. Had he opposed that day (which he always did earlier) after the meeting with Mountbatten, it would have been chaos and bloodshed more than what happened when actual proceedings for partition started.

That is an excellent example of media projecting wrong info and people still think the same – its a shame!
Please read “Freedom at Midnight by Dominique Lapierre and Larry Collins”
————–

Qalandar 15 August 2009
09:25:11 am

Plus, “Nehru’s behest” might lead a reader to believe that partition was Nehru’s idea — which is simply absurd. He opposed it right till the end, but in the end had no choice, and BOTH Patel and Nehru accepted it, albeit reluctantly (just check out the famous picture of the meeting, both seem less than enthused; since ritz has mentioned “Freedom at Midnight”, I’ll add that book bears this out, and in fact movingly chronicles Nehru’s anguish over partition, and the general reluctance with which Nehru and Patel accepted partition — and of course Gandhi was some steps further still). Gandhi didn’t want to accept it even then. If it was at anyone’s “behest”, it certainly wasn’t Nehru’s or Gandhi’s — if we speak in these terms, and about individuals, then how can Jinnah and the British Raj be left out?

Again, making a general point here, not saying Julie was saying all this.

julie 15 August 2009
09:32:00 am

ritz – This was just an example. There has been a mere speculation that has been rife now for quite some time in the internet (as pointed out by Q) as well as in certain sections of Indian community that Gandhi and Nehru are resposnible for the nation’s partition (see how dangerous a medium of communication can be). And I have read Freedom at Midnight when I was in my early teens.

This example was thrown in light of the purport that all the world’s crimes can be traced to CIA and this is equally a misgiving which has been perpetrated in the net. In my view one wrong does not make two wrongs right.

Doga 15 August 2009
09:34:07 am

SRK detention is not a big deal: Salman Khan

Mumbai: Bollywood actor Salman Khan today termed the frisking of Shah Rukh Khan at Newark airport as routine security check-ups.

Speaking to media persons, Salman said, “Nothing was new in it. We always face such situation in USA.”

“The detention was for security purpose. And it is not a big deal. I think it is a good thing,” Salman said.

“No 9/11-like incident occurred in US because of strict vigil and I believe it is a good thing,” he fired a question on media.

For Salman misbehave with SRK is normal phenomenon but his other Bollywood friends have categorically condemned the incident.

It seems that the tension between the both Khans still prevails. That’s why when entire country is opposing the regular frisking incidents against Indians, Salman is singing the praise for US security.

Meanwhile, the US embassy in India has said that the will enquire about the matter.

Qalandar 15 August 2009
09:39:22 am

Agree Julie. The CIA’s role and excesses are undeniable (the instances in Central and South America are well known; in the case of the 1953 overthrow of the democratically elected Iranian government in favor of a pro-Western absolute monarch, it is now conceded by the US government itself), but paranoia is cheap and becomes an easy way for people to evade critical thinking. Nor can this be about accounting, who killed more etc. Even if the CIA killed more, so what? Does that mean by a macabre equivalence one is to sit around while others try and match tallies?!

julie 15 August 2009
09:48:01 am

The internet propganda has been more against Nehru in recent times bordering on some outrageous lies but that is a subject matter at best not discussed.

“Even if the CIA killed more, so what? Does that mean by a macabre equivalence one is to sit around while others try and match tallies?!”

Very well said indeed. The entire crux of discussion is neatly summarized in this statement.

ACHILLES 15 August 2009
09:53:30 am

This is a cheap gimmicky way to promote MNIK … but then fans like to hear their stars speak, no matter what he says.

Ankit 15 August 2009
10:02:22 am

Achilles,

I don’t think this is a case of promotion. One can’t make false news of any country just to promote the film. Such things really hurt a person’s sentiment. When I saw the security officer in Indian airport check the bags of the lead actor in Aamir, it hurt me. This is a sensitive issue. I am not blaming the security officials of any country, but I hate to see what terrorism has done to the world. Ek din aayega log apni maa pe bhi bharosa nai karenge. Its very sad.

Doga 15 August 2009
10:12:53 am

@ SB:

MancityFan: on srk issue srk was foolish but people who r discussing it are bigger fools imo.

Somehow i have a smile on my face.

ACHILLES 15 August 2009
10:13:23 am

MNIK is a movie about US bias for muslim community post terrorist panic – and SRK talks about his ‘personal experience’about this just after the first poster of the movie is released.

Am i dumb or is there a correlation between SRK’s ‘trauma’ and his next release? But the as long as his fans over the world get tears in their eyes for his trauma – the job is done with zero promotion cost. Kudos KJO/SRK.

even in NG its the most alive thread in days!

Gorilla 15 August 2009
10:27:39 am

Man, why did US officials release SRK after only 2 hours?
We needed a longer break from him.

BTW, now i know why MNIK will flop. Everyone knows the story of the movie now itself.

Anna 15 August 2009
10:43:06 am

“why did US officials release SRK after only 2 hours?
We needed a longer break from him.”

Hahahahaha

My whole day was fucked up today. But this comment made my day.

Gowrilla you rock

Ankit 15 August 2009
11:04:52 am

Achilles,

“MNIK is a movie about US bias for muslim community post terrorist panic – and SRK talks about his ‘personal experience’about this just after the first poster of the movie is released.”

Coincidence.

Qalandar 15 August 2009
11:20:51 am

Gorilla aaj aap form mein hain. Balke, aaj aap kaminey hain

Qalandar 15 August 2009
11:28:06 am

To be fair to SRK, he has also tried not to make this a wholly Muslim-centric affair. I myself heard him say on CNN-IBN that he was stopped “because I am Asian”. He also said he was stopped because of his name etc., but I think in fairness we should acknowledge the other statement too.

I do agree that laws have to be observed, but I do see Raj’s point that there are double standards at work as well. [Aside: no "law" is involved here, these are administrative decisions largely within the discretion of the individual airport official. That is part of what makes this sort of thing worrying to the average person in this situation, as there is no clear law about what is supposed to happen.]

neelu 15 August 2009
12:22:19 pm

Of course many Muslims and NON-Muslims are stopped. If Kalam is frisked or SRK is then it is news, for others – hum log bhed bakri hain, who cares. If they are detained it will make news, and they will be asked about it, and all and sundry will have an opinion about it. If MNIK team was really out for publicity and FOX could swing this kind of deal, I would do it while going to US for a premiere of the film. This will be forgotten in a month and will have no impact.

The country that is protecting its border has EVERY right to protect it in any which way possible. I am with Salman on this.

About Osama Bin Laden, in his manifesto he blamed everyone from the West, including the Crusaders, and they were British

rks 15 August 2009
12:32:50 pm

Very well said Neelu.
Once I was patted/frisked because damn chewing Gum wrapper (mettalic) was left in my cargo pant. Now I make sure I just have clothes. Every other thing is put in carry on baggage.

ritz 15 August 2009
11:18:31 pm

Do not feel like stepping on American soil any more: Shahrukh

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.....898395.cms

Tiger 16 August 2009
05:13:16 am

From fiction to reality! A rare coincidence! This one is a good food for publicity.No matter what people say the reality is any smart cookie will spin it on the name Khan which is coincidentally the title of his next big release.

Now MY NAME IS KHAN has every reason to hit the bull’s eye.SRK’s ordeal will create a kind of serious controversy and will generate a lot of discussion within intellectual and even tea-wallah cycles.A lot of introspection will take place thereby aiding the rise of a huge hype in the run up to the film’s release.
I believe there are people who will try to re-christen the film’s plot as a true story based on the Newark incident.Boy I still foresee that oscar material and smell that mega blockbuster!

sandy 16 August 2009
06:49:24 am

I feel bad for Shah Rukh. Forget a celebrity like him, I say no one deserves to be treated in a high-handed, arrogant way by any authority in the world without reason. I agree that the Muslim population would come under extra scanner – it happens in India too! – and you can’t altogether blame US and other countries for being extra cautious when they see a ‘Khan’ or Mohammad’ or whatever. They are paranoid, it’s fine. But unless something is genuinely amiss, these authorities should have no business to use their power to humiliate people.
SRK is certainly hurt as he would be. And I’m glad the issue has got highlighted thanks to him but I’m not very optimistic that a solution will be found.

sandy 16 August 2009
06:52:07 am

I liked the way SRK succintly put it as ‘procedural nonsense’

Angels and Belds 16 August 2009
07:20:00 am

this is silly all around. i mean cmon – the immigration department in the US has some real characters just like in indian government. its a power trip and these are faceless people who get that adrenaline rush when they do this. no law or no publicity is going to stop this. life isnt perfect!

I think srk can feel bad etc – but going public with it the way he has done is quite childish and immature. For once – what Salman said yday was more accurate then what SRK is shouting from the rooftops. I see that he is trying to do damage control today but shrugging it off – but i think he just went overboard yday with his reaction.

ritz 16 August 2009
09:00:58 am

–>SRK was cleared in 66 minutes, say US officials

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

–>US officials deny racial profiling charge

http://movies.ndtv.com/movie_story.aspx?Section=Movies&ID=ENTEN20090105374&subcatg=MOVIESINDIA&keyword=bollywood

–>Khan not singled out because of his name: US

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Khan-not-singled-out-because-of-his-name–US/502596

–>Shah Rukh may have been victim of random selection parameter

http://sify.com/movies/bollywood/fullstory.php?id=14904952

–>‘Kalam had no problems with frisking’

http://www.deccanchronicle.com.....risked-970

ritz 16 August 2009
09:08:12 am

Outcry against Shahrukh’s detention ‘ridiculous’: Swamy

http://www.ptinews.com/news/23.....8212;Swamy

“”Some months ago, Senator Edward Kennedy of the iconic Kennedy clan was off-loaded at Washington DC airport because his namesake, an Irish terrorist, was on the airport watch list, he said.

Despite producing his ID, Kennedy was not allowed to board his flight, Swamy said in a statement here.”"

Tango 16 August 2009
10:12:51 am

Subramanian Swamy is the bigest joker of Indian politics since late Raj Narayan, is all that I can say.

That is why he is where he is the president of a party called Janta Party that has fragmented into a million parts!

Tango 16 August 2009
10:15:59 am

Well, we all know how honest US officials are.

We have instances of WMD in Iraq to nothing inhuman happened in Guntama Bay detention camp.

Tango 16 August 2009
10:17:36 am

*Guantanamo*

neelu 16 August 2009
11:26:11 am

I found one bit interesting – SRK said, and others confirmed, that Immigrations officials of Indian and Pakistani origin were vouching for him right there. But one officious guy would not listen to them. That seems strange and extreme behavior to me. I know from personal experience that many of these immigration types think of brown skinned people as Social security freeloaders, asylum seekers, and general menace to society. Maybe they need to be paranoid to control riffraff. But still, when colleagues are vouching for a person then a simple scrutiny can be enough to clear up the confusion.

Apparently they asked him why he was there and where he would be staying. And he had no details. Is that unusual? Al Gore once got lost one block from his residence in DC. SRK was obviously going to be met and taken care of, and has likely never had those details on him in his life.

Good to see his sense of humor back – apparently he said later Aryan asked me, Daddy tumke pakda kya? And he replied Abhi tak to nahin!!!

ali 16 August 2009
12:54:34 pm

i’m still shocked to say anything but agree here with Raj,Q,Tango and Sandy .
and even more surprised and shocked to see that some people are taking it as publicity matter.
really don’t have word to say right now.

julie 16 August 2009
03:19:22 pm

Leaving aside for one minute that this is Shahrukh and he has the Khan name attached to his surname, I find it thoroughly and absolutely befuddling as to how a person that too as intelligent, and technically savvy as SRK cannot know the whereabouts of his stay in the US, doesn’t have other contacts and numbers to call up (for someone who is so well travelled to the States) and instead has to resort to using his diplmatic connections in India.

I am not for one denying that frisking makes anyone’s sense go numb, but someone who is so used to visiting or travelling in the land of USA or UK should and would carry relevant contact numbers. This just reflects poor diary management and as far as I am informed Shahrukh manages his dairy very well. The other point about immigration authorities not recogniing him should not come as a big surprise given that even my friend who met him in a private club and who is a NRI could not place him. Maybe his off screen personality is quite different from on screen.

I was also reading somewhere that when President Abdul Kalam was detained in IGA in New Delhi, he just complied without making any hoopla about it, so much so that there are not many articles covering that incident. Frisking is now routine business in the US immigration and that ain’t gonna change for any one country.

Doga 16 August 2009
03:42:42 pm

For people who want to know what CIA can do, read this:

Operation Northwoods, or Northwoods, was a false-flag plan, proposed within the United States government in 1962. The plan called for CIA or other operatives to commit apparent acts of terrorism in U.S. cities to create public support for a war against Castro-led Cuba. One plan was to “develop a Communist Cuban terror campaign in the Miami area, in other Florida cities and even in Washington”.

This operation is especially notable in that it included plans for hijackings and bombings followed by the use of phony evidence that would blame the terrorist acts on a foreign government, namely Cuba.

Read the complete article:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Northwoods

Doga 16 August 2009
03:47:24 pm

Its things like Operation Northwoods( the very thought of it), that has led to conspiracy theories on 9/11.

All former superpowers like UK,Japan,Germany,USSR have killed millions of people, USA is doing nothing new. Its part of the game(OSAMA,Saddam,Afganishtan,Iraq,Vietnam,Korea are just playing grounds.The same USA was giving Saddam Bio weapons to fight Iran as at that point Iraq was not that big an enemy etc the stories dont end.)

All other superpowers eventually fell down, lets see where USA is headed.

neelu 16 August 2009
03:47:37 pm

Al Gore did not know directions to his own home! If you are being met, then no need to carry information, it is that simple. Happened to me in UK and the racist guy there was badgering me, I asked him to call the cell number I had and get the address form the person at the other end. As an aside – does no one travel spontaneously these days? Do students and footloose people have a place of stay ahead of time?

The phone call he made was to his secretary, not some diplomatic contact. One can safely presume that anyone whose life and calendar is managed by secretaries will at the very least remember that number. Or he could have called his wife, who would call the secretary.

Doga 16 August 2009
03:51:24 pm

These kinds of False Flag programs have been done also successfully between Israel and USA(USA attacks Israel Navy ships and Israel claims it Palestine, so they can fight with them, innocent Israel soldiers have also died accidently).

I dont know if USA is right or not but thats how things are and i guess always have been.

julie 16 August 2009
03:58:04 pm

People do travel spontaneously but the least they are expected to know are their whereabouts. Ain’t these basic questions that are asked at the immigration desk. The checks have become even more severe now in the light of contsant threats being received in the aiports and some years back there was a threat of a series of plane hijacks taking place between London and New York.

To date all Non residents of a country are asked such a question at the immigration point. Sir where are u staying, why are u here, what is the objective of ur stay? How is an immogration officer expected to know that this is a celebrity who incidentally happens to be clueless about his contact details and has to depend in his PA.

Doga 16 August 2009
03:59:00 pm

New theories are coming,

The latest one is that the stay was because SRK’s Luggage came late and when it came probably they started asking questions.

SRK has also said he will avoid coming to USA from now,i can understand him but i guess he will have to live this.(As he will have to come to USA many times).

neelu 16 August 2009
04:02:19 pm

The immigration officer was told by his colleagues (people of Indian sub-continent origin), RIGHT THERE AT THE DESK, who SRK was! That is how he is supposed to know or at least to figure out quickly. PAs are hired so they can keep such details for you, if you can afford it!

Doga 16 August 2009
04:02:57 pm

I would be now awkward for SRK when MNIK comes and media will start asking him ” how is your character’s situation similar to what happened to you in real life ?”, but well i might be wrong, SRK might be able to use this as a tool for promotion, we will see.

julie 16 August 2009
04:07:42 pm

“The immigration officer was told by his colleagues (people of Indian sub-continent origin), RIGHT THERE AT THE DESK, who SRK was!”

Then again SRK had to depend on voices of other strangers and supporters. That still does not answer the question about his WHEREABOUTS and place of stay. I have never seen such rules being changed for anyone. There is a disembarkment card in which you have to fill out your contact details with numbers and place of stay in the destination point. All Non resident / nationals of that country have to do that.

Doga 16 August 2009
04:10:09 pm

Neelu i dont know much , but if some officer( for some wierd reason has suspicion) has taken someone on side for questioning, will he listen to by standers or even his colleagues, and under this circumstances what is he/she supposed to tell his supervisor, that he had suspicion on someone but let him/her go as some people vouched for him.His/Her Job could be on the line.

Yes i agree, that He/She might be wrong in starting questioning SRK in the first place, but as much experience i have once they start they only leave when they are satisfied.

It could also be a Job Policy, that if a suspicion arises, solve the case fully before letting go of the person.

As i said, officials might be wrong in detaining SRK in first place, but once started they go through the whole thing.

neelu 16 August 2009
04:10:46 pm

I think the interrogation was past entry point. They do not ask you for your luggage at the entry point. I have not filled that part out and entered into the UK, and this was last year. I am not a UK resident BTW.

neelu 16 August 2009
04:13:10 pm

Doga – presuming that Indian origin people who work for Immigration are as efficient and conscientious as white people, the guy should have quickly ascertained the truth of what his colleagues said. If all he needed was an address then give the man a phone or allow him to use his own. But I can sense that it could become an ego thing – you maybe a big star, but you are a foreigner and I have the power here.

neelu 16 August 2009
04:16:16 pm

In fact I have no objection to starting the questioning in the first place, if you pick people, and even if it is profiling, then that is fair. But once you have an inkling of what is going on then move things along quickly.

julie 16 August 2009
04:17:45 pm

but you are a US passposprt holder I gather. The rules are different for EU Nationals/ Canadian and US passport holders.

In this instance I am not talking specifically about your experience in the UK but in general the procedures that most Indian passport holders have to go thru during immogration. I was an Indian passport holder up until last year and have just acuuired my EU passport, but I know how gruelling those procedures can be and u can be dteained if u don’t answer basic questions carefully. This is not specific just to SRK’s experience in the US either. Immigration Authorities do become suspicious if u do not know the basic details of your address, host contact details etc. etc. These rules have not changed so far to my knowledge.

neelu 16 August 2009
04:18:44 pm

I should mention to Julie that I likely got away with it because I am a US citizen. My brown skin would have been much more of an issue if I had an Indian passport. Is this not national profiling of a sort?

neelu 16 August 2009
04:21:09 pm

All they really want to ascertain is – will you stay here and become a drag on our society, or will you go back. That is at the crux of these questions whether for entry or Visa. Then knowing that someone is a National celebrity and extremely affluent in their home country should set those anxieties at rest.

Doga 16 August 2009
04:24:19 pm

Yeah,these things depend a lot on individual personalities( how the officer questioned, how srk replied , if there was some friction between them).

I saw a video where a sheriff was stopped by a cop and told him to update his car registration(the small sticker on the plate),its a ticket but later one can get the ticket off record if indeed has new sticker and has just forgotten to put it on.

The talk between them started as a joke and slowly but steadily friction was there and things go so bad the taser gun and manual enforcement was needed and the sherrif was arrested.

Just because sheriff could not could not face the fact that he got a petty ticket.

Isnt there this new case where a Harward Professor was arrested because he declined to furnish his ID(he was trying to break into his own house as he had lost his keys, and neighbors called 911, they could not recognize him, when cops came the professor tried to argue with them and didnt show them his ID initially and that led to his arrest), it was a widely covered event,i guess.

Just examples of how things can go wrong.

rks 16 August 2009
04:25:43 pm

I think, if your name pops up then it is part of procedure that your luggage is also checked before you are allowed to go. I think SRK would have waited longer, if the Indian officials hadn’t intervened as his luggeage was coming in next flight!

neelu 16 August 2009
04:26:28 pm

Hahahaha – I just thought of something else – I think we can blame this all on nicotine withdrawal. I doubt they allowed him to smoke as he came off and he was probably anxious to get out and puff on a coffin nail

Doga 16 August 2009
04:32:32 pm

RKS do you think that if all this happened to SRK, will this go into some kind of record and that next time when he tries to come, this can pop up again.

Hope this does not snowball, USA NRI people need SRK after all,lol.

rks 16 August 2009
04:37:08 pm

Doga – Ted Kennedy was stopped 5 times and then he complained to HomeLand Security dircetor/secretary, only then his name was removed

Doga 16 August 2009
04:41:00 pm

One things for sure, SRK heart will beat faster the next time he is approaching an immigration officer than all the time it has for his heroines in KKHH,DDLJ,VZ etc combined, lol.

rudresh 16 August 2009
09:31:24 pm

making 66 minutes of detainment as 120 minutes
giving separate and individual interview to all the channels (not just a single press release) on very same day.

If these do not come under publicity, then what will come under publicity?

neelu 16 August 2009
09:43:39 pm

Rudresh – where was Shahrukh when this was happening? You think he was calling the TV channels to talk to them or they were calling him? 66 minutes was the time they detained him in one location, I am sure that from the time they started with an alert on his name it was a lot longer than 66 minutes.

He was on his way to a 15th August function, and he arrived late for it because of all this. I doubt he had time to organize a press release. Who would do the press release?

RAJ 16 August 2009
10:38:24 pm

“”"making 66 minutes of detainment as 120 minutes
giving separate and individual interview to all the channels (not just a single press release) on very same day.

If these do not come under publicity, then what will come under publicity?”"”

If this is for publicity,then we all have to give it to SRK for the way he managed the show….Without spening a single penney he made this issue global and emotional…Fans are burning effigies,govt is in a tizzy ,media has gone crazy,BW is behind him…Now this is way better than “”" Fuck barbara and gain publicity “” gimmic from other star…..

Tango 16 August 2009
10:48:49 pm

“If this is for publicity,then we all have to give it to SRK for the way he managed the show….Without spening a single penney he made this issue global and emotional…Fans are burning effigies,govt is in a tizzy ,media has gone crazy,BW is behind him…Now this is way better than “”” Fuck barbara and gain publicity “” gimmic from other star…..”

Very true. Seriously I’m missing someone rt now because I would have read many spin offs about how it was pre-planned and Karan was recently seen with the concerned officer!

OutKast 16 August 2009
10:52:19 pm

Hmm… Have been thinking about this for last two days, and read some of the news report.

One thing that crossed my mind is.. After 9/11 US immigration looks carefully at the countries you have been in recent past, before coming into US. SRK was in US until first week of July, after that he went to London, and from there to India. According to news report he made a quick trip to Malaysia, before coming to US. I would not be surprised if some of the SE Asian countries are on the US watch list. So, given that maybe SRK’s travels raised a ‘red’ flag in the system, and the officials proceeded to ask some questions. The last name of Khan OFC did not help.

Usually US officials are professional. Once i had to go through secondary immigration check (while going thro’ a status change). The way it worked for me is that the Officer did not stamp my passport but asked me to proceed for secondary check. The place where i waited while they were running secondary check was like a DMV office, with lots of people waiting. In 15 mins it was completed and i was cleared. I did not feel harassed at all, as i knew they were doing their job. Now what i have heard is if they are not satisfied with the secondary checks, they will interview you. For that they will you take into a separate room, because of privacy laws. I do not know whether this is what happened with SRK. But even if it did i would not consider it as a ‘detainment’.

Now to all these reports about fellow Asian Officers vouching for SRK.. What were they shouting out ? Because of privacy issues i cannot imagine that the Officer would be talking to another officer in open. So i find these reports questionable.

I am not in any way condoning the incident. I am just thinking that maybe there is more to it than what has been reported. I think nobody will know what exactly transpired except for the Immigration Officer and SRK, and each might have a different version.

Tango 16 August 2009
10:53:34 pm

The fact of the matter is whether it was 66 or 66.3 seconds or 65.99 seconds or 166 minutes, who will ascertain that? Or should the authorities be made to appear at “sach Ka Samna’?

Jokes aside its shameful and such officious little.. should be given the boot without asecond thought, today it is SRk testerday was Mr. Kalam, afew yeras back it was Imran Khan and tomorrow it can be Big B or anyone..

An insult is an insult whether it took 6 seconds or 66 seconds!

OutKast 16 August 2009
10:57:16 pm

This whole episode would not have happened if SRK had traveled with Karan Johar. When they started asking questions to SRK, KJo would have tweeted “OMG they are questioning the God.. i mean SRK”, and within minutes Indian Embassy would have got him released.

Moral of the Story : SRK never travel with out KJo

RAJ 16 August 2009
11:01:42 pm

Q,

“”It shows something of the mindset, that the aam aadmi can go hang — but how dare a VIP be harrassed”"

You are missing the point here…Indian public can only know about an incident when it is reported in the media…When Dr.haneef was detained in Australia, illegally ,there was a similar outcry in the media and the public was behind Dr.Haneef….It is the duty of the media to report things…Everywhere in the world the injustices come to fore when a big /popular/important person is involved….

RAJ 16 August 2009
11:02:46 pm

“”"what Salman said yday was more accurate then what SRK is shouting from the rooftops.”"”

Yes the sensible Mr.salman khan has to chnage his version after realising that the public opinion is with SRK….

Tango 16 August 2009
11:04:06 pm

Yes with the outcry everywhere it must be clear to one and all (especially those who are still reluctant to accept SRK’s super stardom, and believe all his hits are not really hits and media spun hits) where he stands today!

Tango 16 August 2009
11:06:55 pm

Salman should remember his jaali wali white scull cap drama in jail to get support from muslims.

RAJ 16 August 2009
11:10:47 pm

“”Yes with the outcry everywhere it must be clear to one and all (especially those who are still reluctant to accept SRK’s super stardom, and believe all his hits are not really hits and media spun hits) where he stands today!”"

Agree Tango…

Recently i attended a function…There were small kids about 6/7 yars old ..They were 10 of them…I have a habit of interacting with kids..I asked them “”which star you like..?”" To my amusement all except one unanimously said Shaharukh khan and the other one said “”Ghajni”" that means Aamir khan…I was surprised because i didnt except kids to like SRK/Aamir …i thought they must be after Ranbir /Sahid…

rudresh 16 August 2009
11:48:19 pm

An Insult: Come on guys, securityy procedure is an Insult?
Because ur star goes through security ,it becomes an insult?

rudresh 16 August 2009
11:50:54 pm

May be few have problem in accepting the fact that he is not the King every where,even nepoliean did not have

RAJ 16 August 2009
11:55:52 pm

Rudresh,

In how many airports it takes two hours to complete security proceedure..??

RAJ 16 August 2009
11:59:03 pm

Rudresh,

In domestic airports security is a matter of 15 mins and in international airports security in normal circumstances is not more than 30 mins…

neelu 17 August 2009
12:03:10 am

“May be few have problem in accepting the fact that he is not the King every where”

That is not the issue Rudresh, even Al Gore had security checks in US. Were you not talking of this being a publicity spin? That is the issue. One cannot stage this kind of check so that it can later be spun for publicity.

rudresh 17 August 2009
12:14:33 am

Neelu, yes he got checked by secutiry for 66 minutres. agree
He himself said ,it is not first time it happens to him? then why making such a big deal this time?

neelu 17 August 2009
01:00:00 am

Rudresh – can you show me where he said he was stopped for that long before?

ritz 17 August 2009
01:17:27 am

SRK’s detention in US planned?
http://buzz18.in.com/news/movi.....d/149632/0

ritz 17 August 2009
01:20:26 am

OUTRAGE IN INDIA (NOT HERE)
http://www.nj.com/news/jjourna.....amp;coll=3

ritz 17 August 2009
01:26:29 am

SRK, it happened to us too: Khans
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/news-interviews/SRK-it-happened-to-us-too-Khans/articleshow/4900815.cms

Forget SRK, even Dylan is unknown
http://www.dnaindia.com/world/.....wn_1282926
Read the last line in above link

neelu 17 August 2009
01:28:42 am

Thanks Ritz – ab yeh bhi bata do ki kisne plan kiya thaa!

ritz 17 August 2009
01:33:03 am

Neelu, I did not write that article. I am just posting articles from both sides.

ritz 17 August 2009
01:39:43 am

Shah Rukh Khan: Is’t a publicity stunt for My Name Is Khan?
http://www.duniyalive.com/?p=54110

rks 17 August 2009
01:57:19 am

The Shah Rukh Khan incident

NyKavi 17 August 2009
04:40:16 am

I find it amusing that everyone is in a frenzy over a mere airport interrogation. That too in a country which experienced the largest ever terrorist incident on its soil. The guy was merely questioned, be it for 5 mins or 2hrs. Procedures had to be followed. He wasnt thrown into a cell and tortured was he? Whats the fuss all about.
I would say, if the immigration or security agencies of America can stop terrorist attacks by any and all kinds of vigilance, hats off to them. In their set procedures they spare no one, be it a President or a superstar. No quarter should be given to any suspect. At least they are not like our nikamma bharatiya govt which endures attack after attack after attack, and yet they have a minister Ambika Soni advocating tit-for-tat reactions. First go prevent all the nutjobs infiltrating from neighbourhood countries, have you employed any serious procedures to do that? It just goes to show the incompetence of those in power in India.

I have travelled with kids and been frisked, so what? They dont let us carry water for baby formula, and I’ll say. kudos to you. At least they prevent a would be bomber who cud be on a suicide mission with his own family. I have seen American whites fret and fuss about removing shoes, and they are politely reminded, that they are not privileged to go past established security procedures, just cause they are white.

Americans are not going to bear any more pain, due to incomplacency or incompetency. All of those 19 who created 9/11 had managed to slip past the basic entry points into the US. The guy who bombed WTC in 1991 also slipped past due to the dumbing down of immigration.

Its bemusing to read views denouncing religious profiling. If people are all so concerned about their own religion being profiled, they should do more to prevent others of their own religion from harming civilians in the name of God.

All this frenzy just goes to show how contemptuous we as a country are of genuine freedom. We will endure continuously sequential bombings and terrorist attacks, and do nothing to prevent it. But when another country employs procedures to prevent loss of life, we universally condemn them. Wah, yeh hai hamara India. That too on Independence Day! Keep doing this, and we will have no more India, especially when we have Chinese thinktanks strategising and advocating a breakup of India into 30 small pieces. Yes, keep being nonchalant like this, and witness the culmination of such audacious neighbourhood plans in a few years.

RAJ 17 August 2009
05:39:16 am

Collective approach required to root out terror: Chidambaram

Identifying terrorism, insurgency in the northeast and Maoist violence as the three biggest challenges facing the country, Home Minister P Chidambaram on Monday said state governments need to do more to stamp out the threats to India`s internal security.

Link:http://sify.com/news/fullstory.php?a=jiroOKfjjgh&title=Collective_approach_required_to_root_out_terror_Chidambaram

I am happy because after so many years we have an independence day where not a single terrorist activitiy have happened in any part of the country..Not even in Kashmir or Assam…Not a single naxalaite voilence has happend…Kudos to the security agencies….

Rocky 17 August 2009
08:05:58 am

NYkavi- great comment. I totally agree with you.
My take- Knowing SRK’s weierd sense of humor- he must have tried to crack a joke- My Name is Khan, emm Sharukh Khan, Mujhe aapka Naa pechanna mushkil hee nahee , Namumkin hai !!!
Immigration Officer must have said – WHO YOU????, let’s talk, Let’s Chat !!!

Disclaimer- Joke Tha !!!!

rks 17 August 2009
08:24:23 am

US ‘overdid’ SRK’s questioning: Chidambaram

Comments by Ministers are full of elitist connotations.

rks 17 August 2009
08:49:04 am

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

Sobriety after a day in a tizzy

Rocky 17 August 2009
09:21:33 am

RKS- from your links above I like the following line-

Twenty four hours after the incident, reports here are that Khan is much more sanguine about it in the realisation that no rules were broken and that the only damage from the incident was to his own perception of his VIP status.

Touche !!!

rks 17 August 2009
09:31:40 am

There is no denying that system is inefficient. But if done with good intention, I don’t see any problem. The system needs revamping for sure but bottomline is that they are able to achieve results. I have been always said in past that US tries to learn from mistake but we don’t. We can call them selfish and whatever but they know what they want.

neelu 17 August 2009
09:36:22 am

What elitist connotations, rks? The whole issue is about the elite only, is it not? Regular citizens endure this routinely. I think the question is, should any group of people, on any side, be given a fast-track through immigration? And the policy should, just like postage and visa fees, be equivalent on both sides.

Tango 17 August 2009
09:41:33 am

“Comments by Ministers are full of elitist connotations.”

Hmm- Looks like PC too was part of the MNIK publicity campaign, as was Ambika Soni and Shashi Tharoor.

neelu 17 August 2009
09:42:04 am

And while we are at it, let us (in India) start security procedures for general people at a stricter level.

Tango 17 August 2009
09:43:10 am

The thing is we all react in certain situations, maybe v more than the occasion demands, so if SRK realises that he could have avoided the reactions there is no harm.

Tango 17 August 2009
09:45:16 am

Neelu poori duniya American aids par chalti hai, some more some less to kisi mein bhi himmat nahi hai unko ya unke citizens ko defy karne ki.

rks 17 August 2009
09:56:18 am

“Hmm- Looks like PC too was part of the MNIK publicity campaign, as was Ambika Soni and Shashi Tharoor.”

rks 17 August 2009
09:58:18 am

Neelu – Yep, Like Visa fees where you have reciprocity, this should be handled in same way so that we don’t have heartburns.

Tango 17 August 2009
10:03:05 am

RKS- Good you took the joke. You are a good sport!

Tango 17 August 2009
10:06:31 am

I have seen this in Himachal, especially the drug mafia area of Old Manali and Malana, a lot of foreigners disappear but agar koi American citizen gaya to fultuk hungama, posters and cash prizes announced. To bhaiyya dadagiri to hai, but the thing is India ke paas kis cheez ki kami hai hai ki we bear this.

neelu 17 August 2009
10:07:22 am

That is the point rks. And unlike some country that may be small and threat free, India NEEDS to step up security to eliminate the threat. This is merely a storm in a teacup. But if even for misguided reasons it causes India to increase security then great! I have seen regular passengers met in jetway and escorted out without even going through immigration line at Indira Gandhi airport. They certainly were not celebrities or high profile politicians, just relatives of some high up officials, I guess. In fact there should be nothing between airplane and immigration to allow any kind of interaction with outside world.

neelu 17 August 2009
10:09:39 am

Tango – rather I would say that Indian citizens should be treated with as much concern. ONE of the benefits of a US passport is that they will treat you like their own, the true meaning of a citizen. Let India start doing that to its own wherever they are in trouble, India or abroad.

Rocky 17 August 2009
10:14:53 am

Tango—-poori duniya American aids par chalti hai

Patwaar pehan ke jaana
Yeh aag ka dariya hai…..
LOL!!
How the hell are you Tango???

rks 17 August 2009
10:16:36 am

” I have seen regular passengers met in jetway and escorted out without even going through immigration line at Indira Gandhi airport.”
Yes. the point is, if it is wrong for X then it is wrong for Y also, irrespective of status.

Tango 17 August 2009
10:16:41 am

Neelu that is a valid point. By and large Indian citizens should not be clubbed with those from rogue nations and treated with more respect.

As far as security is concerned, I have said it time and again that our security is still very lax, with specific examples.

rks 17 August 2009
10:36:06 am

How to Work Out While Muslim — and Female

Doga 17 August 2009
11:26:54 am

I agree that i belong to a 3rd world country and will never be seen as equal to a USA Person and i dont give a damn about what anyone thinks,this makes it easy for me.

Actually since coming to USA,i have only respected People here, they allow people to come to their country and make and live life.

But its just my thought.

Also according to Per Capita(<$3000) India does belong with the poorest of Nations, i mean if we go by the book.

I would like to leave Equality of Rights thing for others, lol.

Rocky 17 August 2009
11:27:25 am

Re- how to work out while Muslim and female

recently we took our daughter’s ( 9 yrs) friends to watch a movie on her birthday.
two of her Pakistani friends’ parents refused to send their daughters with us, when i asked my daughetr why she said – her friends told them that their parents said it is against their religion to go see movies witout their parents.
meanwhile we had sent our daughter to their house for an entire evening to celebrate her friend’s birthday.

Qalandar 17 August 2009
01:01:22 pm

Now Jaswant Singh is on the “how great Jinnah was” and “partition was Nehru’s fault” bandwagon. It’s quite revealing that be it Advani or Jaswant, some on the Indian right find it in their hearts to be more generous to Jinnah than to Nehru. This isn’t to deny Jinnah’s qualities, but the notion (as Jaswant told CNN-IBN’s Karan Thapar) that all Jinnah wanted was a federal polity, and Nehru rejected it, is ridiculously simplistic (not to mention that other Congress bigwigs, like Patel, were similarly opposed to the sort of polity that the Muslim League seemed prepared to accept) — I would like to read Jaswant’s book (from the sounds of it it seems like a recycled version of Wolpert’s Jinnah biography and Ayesha Jalal’s “The Sole Spokesman), but I am curious as to what he had to say about the fact that that federation appeared to incorporate an opt-out clause as well! Not to mention that Lebanon-like constitutional arrangements hardly would have boded well for stability. [While the likes of Jalal and Wolpert have done valuable service in contextualizing Jinnah's work in terms of presenting a historical picture that does not conform to the demonization of the man, in India the pendulum of revisionism has swung to such an extent that many Indian liberals as well as some on the right subscribe to the "Jinnah was left with no chocie but partition" line of thought...]

rks 17 August 2009
01:11:18 pm

Top BJP leaders have nothing to do. There is lack of leadership as evident from Rajasthan episode. If they don’t make amends quickly they would be like Janta Dal in no time.

rks 17 August 2009
02:33:37 pm

Jaswant, Jinnah and the South Asian Monroe Doctrine

Rocky 17 August 2009
03:44:08 pm

RKS- BJP is dead as a party which is very unfortunate. And more unfortunate will be that Hardliners within the BJP will take control of the party.

Rocky 17 August 2009
03:49:11 pm

Shobha De-

My Name is (not) Khan…..and still….

I am not Muslim. My name is neutral-sounding. I don’t have a police record. Nor any terrorist links. But I am routinely stopped, searched and questioned at airports around the world, including American ones. Do I protest, yell and scream ‘Discrimination! Racial profiling! Yankee dadagiri! Religious persecution!” Nope. I hate what happens to me. I feel angry and humiliated. I resent the questions…. But I am keenly aware of the fact that there is nothing personal about it. Those guys at immigration are doing their jobs – that’s it. What may appear irrational and sadistic to visitors is nothing more than a strict drill security agencies have to adhere to – for the overall safety of the world. Come on…. get real. These are procedures that cannot be altered to accommodate anybody – even desi superstars. Reverse the situation – imagine a Mick Jagger or a Tom Cruise lining up in front of a local officer at Mumbai\New Delhi airport. Do you really think those guys would know or care who these mega stars were?? They would be treated like any other passenger… and if for any reason, the computer screens indicated a problem they would be asked to step aside and respond to a few tough questions, too. Their claiming friendship with Barack Obama, Sonia Gandhi or Priyanka Vadra would not cut any ice with our chaps. And rightly so. Anybody can claim friendship with anyone.

http://shobhaade.blogspot.com/.....e-srk.html

Rocky 17 August 2009
03:50:51 pm

Shobha De……

Guys…. this is far more important than Srk’s rants.
**********************************
The media should ignore this terrorist, not turn the spotlight on him.Remember the guy who got on a plane in the US with a bomb built into his shoeand tried to light it? Did you know his trial is over? Did you know he was sentenced? Did you see/hear any of the judge’s comments on TV or Radio? Didn’t think so.Everyone should hear what the judge had to say.________________________________
Ruling by Judge William Young, US District Court.Prior to sentencing, the Judge asked the defendant if he had anything to say. His response: After admitting his guilt to the court for therecord, Reid also admitted his ‘allegiance to Osama bin Laden, to Islam, and to the religion of Allah,’ defiantly stating, ‘I think I will not apologize for my actions,’ and told the court ‘I am at war with your country.’Judge Young then delivered the statement quoted below:January 30, 2003, United States vs. Reid.Judge Young: ‘Mr. Richard C. Reid, hearken now to the sentence the Court imposes upon you..On counts 1, 5 and 6 the Court sentences you to life in prison in the custody of the United States Attorney General. On counts 2, 3, 4 and 7, the Court sentences you to 20 years in prison on each count, the sentence on each count to run consecutively. (That’s 80 years.)On count 8 the Court sentences you to the mandatory 30 years again, to be served consecutively to the 80 years just imposed. The Courtimposes upon you for each of the eight counts a fine of $250,000 that’s an aggregate fine of $2 million. The Court accepts the government’s recommendation with respect to restitution and orders restitution in the amount of $298.17 to Andre Bousquet and $5,784 toAmerican Airlines.The Court imposes upon you an $800 special assessment.

http://shobhaade.blogspot.com/.....orist.html

Qalandar 17 August 2009
04:29:10 pm

Rocky: I think these acquaintances of yours (your daughter’s friend’s parents) need their fricking heads examined. It’s incredible the amount of rot people are willing to pass on to their kids!!!

rks 17 August 2009
04:37:48 pm

Q – It may sound very unreasonable, but people have their principles.
rot or culture, I am not sure and it depends upon individual. I sometime force few things on my daughter which may sound unreasonable to some. Sometimes I raise my voice in public and people stare at me

neelu 17 August 2009
06:56:45 pm

http://cbs3.com/wireapnewsnj/T.....32555.html

SAMANTHA HENRY, Associated Press Writer
NEWARK, N.J. (AP) ― In sheer fan numbers, Shah Rukh Khan is one of the most recognizable movie stars in the world.

In nearly every country he travels to, Khan is given a red-carpet welcome and swarmed by thousands of adoring fans.

But the 44-year-old megastar of Bollywood wasn’t recognized at Newark Liberty International Airport on Friday. He was detained by U.S. Immigration officials for more than an hour and held for questioning.

That treatment of the face of the Indian film industry, which churns out an estimated two films a day and generates billions of dollars in ticket sales each year, is reverberating in the U.S. and abroad.

In India on Sunday, angry fans burned a U.S. flag in protest and fellow Indian film stars and political leaders condemned what they called “humiliating” treatment of the star.

“It’s ironic they picked on someone who is such a symbol of progressive values in India and would be considered so anywhere else in the world,” said Wasim Khan — no relation — an Indian Muslim from Parsippany. “It should be a matter of concern for all of us who believe in a world of greater tolerance and peace and progressing toward a greater understanding among different peoples and cultures.”

Although Hollywood earns more revenue and has more expensive productions, Bollywood dwarfs Hollywood in the number of movies it produces and the frenzy that surrounds its top stars.

And nobody generates more fervor than the man they call “King Khan.”

A Muslim actor in a predominantly Hindu nation, Khan, who is married to a Hindu woman, is often referred to as the “world’s biggest movie star.”

In Bollywood, his appeal stretches far beyond India and deep into the Muslim world — from Indonesia to the Middle East.

His happy-go-lucky personality on and off camera, his reluctance to take sides in politically charged matters and his “can’t we all just get along?” approach to deep divisions between Muslims and Hindus have made him a defacto ambassador for a global generation striving to overcome ancient hatreds.

Khan initially said his treatment by U.S. authorities left him “angry and humiliated” but later downplayed those comments and described the airport experience as “a procedure that needs to be followed, but an unfortunate procedure.”

Khan told the Times of India on Monday that he didn’t want an apology from the U.S. authorities, he just wanted to go home.

Ironically, Khan was in the U.S. to promote his new film, largely shot in California, about an Indian Muslim with Asperger’s syndrome living in a post-911 America. His character’s anti-social ticks and odd behavior are mistaken by U.S. authorities as suspicious and he’s detained as a suspected terrorist.

U.S. immigration authorities have denied they stopped Khan because of his Muslim surname or that he was flagged on any computer alert lists. They say his questioning was routine and was only prolonged because his bag had been lost by the airline.

The explanation has done little to calm the anger of Khan’s vast fan base, or the ire of Indian Muslims in the U.S., some of whom have been subjected to airport stops in the years following the Sept. 11 attacks.

Saeed Patel, 45, an Indian Muslim from Englewood Cliffs who is an American citizen and has three U.S.-born children, was detained last year returning home to Newark airport and is still upset at how he was treated. He is angry, however, that protesters in India are burning the American flag, saying America is much more tolerant of different religions than India.

Patel hopes the incident with Khan becomes a teachable moment for people to realize Muslims still face profiling.

“Obviously we are outraged,” Patel said. “But in a way we are sort of glad it happened to him so it becomes something people talk about.”

rudresh 17 August 2009
10:35:15 pm

srk-no-vip-india-should-stop-acting-up

http://ibnlive.in.com/videos/9.....ng-up.html

rudresh 17 August 2009
10:39:56 pm

Bollywood Megastar Detained At Newark: Outrage, Publicity Stunt or Sign of a Healthy Democracy?

“The practice of letting VIPs circumvent security procedures also strikes me as a bad idea. After all, some Bollywood stars – like Sanjay Dutt – have been implicated in past terrorist attacks in India (although Dutt was later acquitted of terrorism charges, he was convicted of weapons violations). Couldn’t a VIP be complicit — or duped into participating — in some sort of terrorist plot?”

http://thefastertimes.com/indi.....democracy/

neelu 17 August 2009
10:43:22 pm

Does mean Munna Bhai Chale Amrika is a non-starter?

Rocky 18 August 2009
06:21:00 am

Q Re.-these acquaintances of yours (your daughter’s friend’s parents) need their fricking heads examined.

tell me about it, My wife studied in Aligarh and she said she used to go out with her muslim female friends all the time with no problems from their parents.
May be people from Pakistan have a stricter code !

rks 18 August 2009
08:33:25 am

SRK, the gentleman

Doga 18 August 2009
08:58:03 am

I was giving SRK benefit of doubt and was also defending him, but i just saw an interview on CNN of him saying something in effect of,

” USA must know that there are 190 more countries and its not a isolated parallel universe etc”

If SRK keeps talking to media in this vein of tone, then i dont know what his intentions are.He aint going to change any rule but just add oil to the fire.

The incident itself was a random one, but does it justify him talking like this or are there other ulterior motives, only time will tell us.

Doga 18 August 2009
09:01:18 am

But we never know, we might be in for a dual personality kind of situation here for srk , on one side he may be seen bashing USA and other times playing it down, only he knows.

rks 18 August 2009
09:01:55 am

Doga – Exactly. I am having a little touchy discussion on FaceBook

When Mammootty became a suspect in New York

Doga 18 August 2009
09:55:57 am

“To be really honest, I do not want to sound pompous – but really SRK does not need publicty stunts to be in the public eye. I did not even want it to be known. It just got picked up by the media”

“By the way i forgot to tell you guys, i had organised a press conference”, lol , there we go again.(I have added the last para).

Tango 18 August 2009
10:16:30 am

Doga even Dale Bhagwagar, who has absolutely nothing to do with SRK had this to say,

http://www.planetbollywood.com.....1609094551

Also, as I had said we all react to situations and I too remember my hot face-off with authorities with Patna airport authorities (2004), as they were acting extra smart. I said in a filmy style “jitne planes yahan poore week mein utarte hain utne Delhi, Bombay aur Chennai mein har ghante utarte hain magar itna check kabhi nahi hua.”

Made no difference to the guy though.

Tango 18 August 2009
10:40:55 am

If one asks me, the best summation/comment comes from Kabir Khan (NEW YORK) who said ” I have been to Israel twice, the country targetted the most by terrorist attacks from the last 3-4 decades, and continues to be along the borders by the likes of Hamas. I have also been to US many times. Israel has the most practical, foolproof and elaborate security arrangements at its airports, one that US can only imagine of implementing. But the difference is it is not perceptable. Imean its not the in your face-types as in US.”

Qalandar 18 August 2009
10:51:25 am

Rocky: I don’t think it’s a Pakistan/India difference, in fact many Pakistanis from Lahore, Karachi are far more liberal than their Muslim Indian counterparts. I think these guys just need their heads examined!!!

Tango 18 August 2009
10:56:08 am

What is your defination of being ” many Pakistanis from Lahore, Karachi are far more liberal than their Muslim Indian counterparts.”

Indian muslims are the most liberal and liberated in the whole world. Where else can one imagine stopping a Janashtmi procession saying its namaaz time and get away with it!

Tango 18 August 2009
11:03:43 am

Indian muslim women drive around on two wheelers, cars and work as engineers and doctors wearing their veils and are respected. And are happy with going about their work, Just recall the fluent dressing down in English that the first Swine Flue vistim Rida Shekh’s aunt gave to the authorities and then to Ghulam Nabi Azad. Abhi pados hota to ek aur Mukhtaran Mai ban jaati!

Whether I agree with the full face covered burqas or not (I dont, magar koi karna chahe to uski marzi hai) but I do remember a religious head from Pakistan coming here and saying ” I have seen more burqa clad females in India than I can ever imagine on the streets of Karachi or Lahore!”

Qalandar 18 August 2009
11:04:45 am

I meant socially liberal (given Rocky’s example was of people not allowing daughters to go to the cinema) — not talking about pluralism (which is what I see your namaaz/Janmashtmi example going to). In my experience Muslim Indians tend to be less socially liberal than Pakistanis (e.g. my Indian relatives’ Muslim weddings are far more traditional and conservative than my Pakistani relatives’ Muslim weddings), although more pluralistic.

Tango 18 August 2009
11:09:51 am

Thanks for clarifying Q, but aisa nahi hai. I am not talking about the interiors of places like Rampur, Moradabad but by and large Indian muslim females are much more liberated. The only other country that comes to mind is Malaysia.

Yeah I know my niece got married last year and there was no different arrangement between the male and female guests, but is that a sign of liberty?

Even in Hindu marriages thoda bahut to demarcation hota hai and it should be because many females are not comfortable in queing up with males.

Qalandar 18 August 2009
11:09:59 am

PS — no criticism is implied, that’s my observation. I don’t ascribe any particular value to either metric here.

Tango 18 August 2009
11:12:14 am

Things have changed in India over the last 10 years or so. I have seen muslim families taking out their daughter to places of public entertainment, cinemas and tourist places.

I agree pehle aisa nahi that.

pardesi 18 August 2009
01:28:56 pm

“irrfan Khan: More than the physical torture, it’s the wounds of humiliation that never heal after you undergo such a horrific experience. It happened to me on two occasions. I was detained in New York and Los Angeles airport for secondary interrogation. I was outraged. I was told to quietly come into a room for questioning and identification verification. I wasn’t allowed to talk. When I tried to ask why I was being treated this way, I was told to keep quiet. I wasn’t allowed to use my phone. They said, ‘No, you just sit down.’ All because my name was Irrfan Khan. You can’t argue or rationalise.

On a second occasion this time in New York, when I was detained I blew my top. I told this big Black American guy, ‘Please clear the confusion about my identity once and for all. Or don’t provide me with a visa. I don’t want to come back to the US.’ The guy wanted to know if it was a threat. I was taken aback. Mira Nair had to intervene. She advised me to never counter-question them. This is the free spirit of America. This 90-minute detention changed me completely. Can you imagine what a 90-day detention can do to an innocent man thrown into jail?”

Irrfan Khan on being questioned at entry point in the US.

rks 18 August 2009
01:52:01 pm

SRK, it happened to us too: Khans

Qalandar 18 August 2009
02:59:08 pm

I sympathize with Irfan Khan, but why is the blackness of the American guy questioning him relevant?

pardesi 18 August 2009
03:03:45 pm

Minority targeting minority – there is symmetry in that!

rks 18 August 2009
03:36:08 pm

These incidences have happened in past and whatever we do and make noise, it is not going to make US homeland security to change the way business is conducted at airports. So people who think they could be asked questions, should be prepared with proper documentation. I am sure even SRK would carry all the relevant documents and addresses next time.

SRK claim looks valid on surface that when his retina was scanned and finger printed at US embassy, why that is not used for verification. But then a terrorist can also get Visa as normal person and he will be passed beacuse he is the same person who gave retina scan and fingerprinted.

Doga 18 August 2009
05:22:36 pm

Well i have never even thought this incident had anything to do with publicity etc by SRK.(SRK is beyond those games).

But the way SRK is speaking, i guess he wants to make big enough noise that Americans can hear it so that he can have some kind of solace.

sv 18 August 2009
10:30:57 pm

I think things should change.No one can be questioned because of religion or region.Terrorists will not travel by original name.They use fake names and fake passports.I hope the current Administartion will change the stupid policies of geroge bush.
Terrorism can be prevented by efficient Intelligence.

sandy 18 August 2009
10:41:02 pm

SRK says that MNIK is releasing after 8-9 months in reply to Amar Singh’s accusation that he’s using this as a publicity stunt. So is the film releasing in April-May?

sandy 18 August 2009
10:41:47 pm

Som/q: Please delete my first comment

Angels and Belds 18 August 2009
11:43:24 pm

sandy – wah wah but the logic doesnt seem right

we are in aug now – so 8 to 9 months from now would be – aug, jul, aug, sep, oct, nov, dec, jan, feb – so the 8th or 9th matlab – jan or feb.

but i am sure aamir is praying mnik releases much after 3 idiots – nahin tho mnik will just kill 3I. poor aamir fans – they are already nervous

see thats why akshay fans are the best – they dont have to worry about competition – even without it his movies crash!

rudresh 19 August 2009
12:47:47 am

Aug came before july and then again aug… i really have had no idea

sandy 19 August 2009
01:19:09 am

“Aug came before july and then again aug… i really have had no idea ”

Rud: It’s like Beld’s tubelight brain… comes, goes and comes again

Aarohi 19 August 2009
01:20:05 am

Rud: do some research… 2009 is peal year. It means 2 Augusts this year.

RAJ 19 August 2009
01:22:33 am

Sandy,

It seems SRK has miscalculated the months because as per Dharma Productions website MNIK is definitely coming in Feb..Even Kjo in one of his interviews said the same thing…

sandy 19 August 2009
01:26:08 am

Raj: The other possibility is that he may have said it for effect – to show that the release is far off.

rudresh 19 August 2009
02:21:39 am

For srk 66 minutes mean 120 minutes so may be 5-6 month means 8-9

RAJ 19 August 2009
03:08:27 am

“”"Raj: The other possibility is that he may have said it for effect – to show that the release is far off”"”

sandy,

Yeah this might be a reason for sure…anyways the movie is still 6 month away evenif it releases in february…

RAJ 19 August 2009
03:13:26 am

“”"see thats why akshay fans are the best – they dont have to worry about competition – even without it his movies crash!”"

LOL @ beld

Angels and Belds 19 August 2009
03:17:36 am

“Rud: It’s like Beld’s tubelight brain… comes, goes and comes again ”

Moderators – this is a personal attack against me, mera mazhab and of course on tube lights! I cant believe that the mods take no action against people engaging in such vicious personal attacks. If this isnt addressed quickly – I shall think about creating a separate blog call beldblot.wordpress.com

RAJ 19 August 2009
03:34:12 am

http://ibnlive.in.com/news/arn.....496-8.html

A day after he returned home from the US, actor Shah Rukh Khan has got an invitation from California Governor and Hollywood superstar Arnold Schwarzenegger

Anna 19 August 2009
03:43:25 am

“It’s like Beld’s tubelight brain… comes, goes and comes again ””

Is there a thing called Beld’s brain?

Angels and Belds 19 August 2009
03:56:00 am

>>Is there a thing called Beld’s brain?

hence my claim that it was a vicious personal attack on tubelights!

Aarohi 19 August 2009
04:24:13 am

‘Tubelights’ isn’t NG member yet.

Rocky 19 August 2009
08:50:31 am

Amar Singh, Jaswant Singh and SRK should be sent flowers with a note- Get well soon Mamus!!

Aside- SRK- first insults Manoj Bharat Kumar, then apologizes and promises to delete the objectional scenes , then shamelessly goes back on his promise , then again goes to Bharat Kumar’s house to apologize, then gets detained on the eve of India’s Independence Day!!!-Sweet Justice !!!
Then wants to strip search Megan Fox- Koi Imaan hai ya nahee??

Aside-2 When Aamir Khan said that SRK does not know how to promote his movies, he did not mean This……

Aside-3- Joke Hai !!

Aside-4- see ya at 1p.m. chicago time !!

Rocky 19 August 2009
11:14:40 am

From The Chicago Tribune-

http://www.chicagotribune.com/.....4582.story

Bollywood mega-star Shah Rukh Khan returned to India on Tuesday, telling fans that the U.S. Immigration screening process was discriminatory and involved bizarre and irrelevant questions — even as he denied that his strong reaction was a publicity stunt for his coming movie.

Khan, 43, was taken for secondary screening at Newark Airport for about 90 minutes Friday, which he said happened because of his Muslim name and South Asian origin.

Khan was on his way to Chicago to attend a celebration for Saturday’s Indian Independence Day. In recent months, he has traveled repeatedly to Los Angeles, San Francisco and New York to shoot his film “My Name Is Khan,” about the discrimination Muslims have faced in the U.S. since Sept. 11.

“Routine security procedures weren’t followed,” he said, adding that he felt embarrassed and uncomfortable having to find a U.S. national to vouch for him.

Khan said U.S. workers had scanned his retina and taken his fingerprints in the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi and should have just matched it against his prints when he landed, avoiding any problem.

julie 19 August 2009
12:17:32 pm

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.....910077.cms

rks 19 August 2009
02:16:28 pm

India accepts unequal treatment in every interaction with the US

“So what is it that Patel intends to take up with the Americans? “We will not accept it,” he thundered. If the Americans tell him to lump the weekend’s incident, what is he going to do? The “we will not accept it” threat was so reminiscent of George W. Bush, who repeatedly threatened North Korea during his eight-year presidency that Washington will not tolerate Pyongyang’s nuclear ambitions, until the North Koreans tested their nuclear weapon and Bush could do nothing about it. It was assumed that the era of state impotence personified by such leaders as Bush had ended with the descent of the previous US president into oblivion, but Patel’s latest statement is a reminder that it is not the case — at least, in India.

Shah Rukh Khan, it turns out, is smarter than Patel. Khan has already made a big thing of not wanting an apology from the US. That is a smart move because no one, at least as of now, is offering him any. The US view is that in Khan’s case, they were simply following their textbook on admitting aliens into their country. The Union home minister, P. Chidambaram, hit the nail on the head when he told reporters on the sidelines of a national security meeting on Monday that “we send our joint secretaries (and) officers (of such rank) to the tarmac to receive” visiting Americans. What Chidambaram did not spell out was that the Indian psyche expects similar treatment in return and that never happens, certainly not in Washington or New York, not even in London, Paris or Frankfurt. “

Rocky 19 August 2009
02:34:31 pm

This is from a link posted 45-46 comments before this comment-

Saeed Patel, 45, an Indian Muslim from Englewood Cliffs who is an American citizen and has three U.S.-born children, was detained last year returning home to Newark airport and is still upset at how he was treated. He is angry, however, that protesters in India are burning the American flag, saying America is much more tolerant of different religions than India.

Patel hopes the incident with Khan becomes a teachable moment for people to realize Muslims still face profiling.

What???? Mauka mila nahee aur India ko saath mein Lapetna shuru kar diya, these kind of people want it both ways!! Disgusting!!!!!

RAJ 19 August 2009
10:24:05 pm

Julie,

RSS chief had cracked the whip couple of days back and the tremors are being seen in Shimla in BJP’s chintan Baithak..Jaswant singh is the first vitim …He has been a repelant of Rss’ ideaology for quite some time..RSS was not happy during the kandahar episode but they couldnt do anything as Jaswant had the backing and trust of Vajpayee… Its high time RSS takes control of key affairs of BJP to stem the rot that have set within the BJP….Because a strong BJP and Congress is very much necessary for the survival of country’s democracy…

sandy 19 August 2009
11:05:07 pm

“Its high time RSS takes control of key affairs of BJP to stem the rot that have set within the BJP….Because a strong BJP and Congress is very much necessary for the survival of country’s democracy…”

I am pretty suggestible on the RSS issue, but I do believe the general populace is moving away from hardliners overall. Remember, the only time BJP came in power was the time when they had its most moderate face – Vajpayee at the helm. Their hardline Hindutva stance has helped them in only certain key states like Gujarat, pockets of the hindi heartland and places like Nagpur which is of course the RSS headquarters. But by and large, I’m not sure how much RSS’s looming presence on the party is going to help it. With so much crisis before the country – from swine flu to drought, the communal agenda seems well beyond a farce.

I don’t know if RSS can set things right in the BJP, but yes, the party seems to lack any sort of direction right now. To emerge as a strong all -India party, they have to rid themselves of their communal face. And yet, RSS in some ways has to be their political front to justify their existence. The Varun Gandhi episode and now, this banning of Jaswant Singh over a book over Jinnah all point towards this inherent confusion.

RAJ 19 August 2009
11:47:39 pm

Sandy,

The problem is very few people are aware of the RSS ideaology and least of all the journalists….RSS ’s ideaology is not hardline communalism..Infact its based on hardline nationalism…Yes they are opposed to pseudo secularism…

Whatever said and done i have never seen such comitted and disciplined workers what RRS have…I have seen RSS workers doing miracles during natural calamities like flood,cyclone and earth quake..During any calamitiy they are the first one to be present at the site(Of cource where they have sizeable presence)

BJP definitely needs RSS at this moment to diffuse the tensions,to stop the infighting and giving them again a purpsoe….The leadreship crisis in BJP can only be solved by RSS…

Varun Gandhi episode was never supported by RSS..Its a figment of the medias’ creation that RSS backed Varun gandhi…i have been to too many RSS functions to know about their idealogy…I have never heard a single word against any community in their functions…

All said and done RSS is a very important social organisation in india and in her politics…Its high time media try to get in to the inner circles of RSS and know about their ideaolgy rather than being superficial and branding them as Communal…

RAJ 20 August 2009
12:08:00 am

http://ibnlive.in.com/news/i-d.....560-8.html

In an exclusive interview to CNN-IBN Editor-in-Chief Rajdeep Sardesai, Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan spoke about his detention at the US airport and denied that it was a publicity stunt for his upcoming movie My Name Is Khan.

sandy 20 August 2009
12:10:45 am

I want to know more clearly what the RSS ideology is. If they are merely victims of media perception, I’d like to know how and why. I give it to you they are a highly disciplined outfit and stand in contrast to BJP’s disarrayed state.
As I said I am suggestible to the issue of RSS and its impact on BJP.

RAJ 20 August 2009
12:30:33 am

Sandy,

Thanks for an open mind..I would definitely like to elaborate about their ideaology…But i believe this is not the right platform..one to one communication should be great…

pardesi 20 August 2009
12:33:00 am

I traveled with some RSS workers, at a train station one of them went to use the toilet, took a while, we thought he would miss the train. He came back and when asked said the toilet was dirty so he cleaned it out thoroughly. I was very impressed with this almost Gandhian approach to cleanliness. Can we have more such RSS workers please?

RAJ 20 August 2009
01:17:29 am

Pardesi,

They have more workers like this ….recently there was a train accident just 100 km from my city..Before anybody reached there at the site it was the RSS workers who reached there and attended the injured and dragged the survivors from the debris….infact they threateed some of the local corporate houses of dire consequences if they do not spare their ambulances for the injured…

Qalandar 20 August 2009
05:47:02 pm

Sandy: where I recommend you start is with the writings of Golwalkar and Hegdewar, two of the RSS’ leading lights from the pre-partition era, in fact the two pre-eminent thinkers of the RSS. Much of their work is not available in English, but it should be easy to find stuff in Hindi and Marathi. If you want in-depth studies OF the RSS, I can suggest titles, but it is good to read it “straight from the horse’s mouth” IMO.

ritz 21 August 2009
02:50:40 am

Shah Rukh Khan detention issue takes a new twist
==============================================
Like in most Bollywood flicks, there is a new twist to the much hyped and publicised story of the detention of super star Shah Rukh Khan in the US last week.

The story thus far was that Khan was a `victim’ of racial profiling and that he was detained for detailed questioning because of his name, religion and, probably, the colour of his skin.

But now there is a new angle: the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) may have detained Khan at the Newark Liberty International Airport last week because the organisers of his show in the US were not above the watermarks of controversies, including underworld links.

The promoters of the show were Farhath Hussain, a businessman from London, and his brother Altaf Hussain, a Chicago-based businessman. The brothers are self-proclaimed fans and promoters of Bollywood and together run the Lake County South Asian Entertainment Inc.

US authorities reportedly suspect the brothers on two counts: tax evasion and underworld links, according to a report in Times of India.

The report goes on to say that there are other promoters too along with Lake County South Asian Entertainment Inc and some of them are on the radar of authorities in the US, UK and India. It was this blip on the radar that forced the CBP to ask Khan to step aside for detailed questioning.

Khan had given interviews to various newspapers and TV channels and one thing that he said was that some of the questions he had to answer were silly, irrelevant and even disrespectful.

Now in the context of the new angle, these questions have assumed significance.

This is probably why the CPB refused to let go Khan despite the representatives of the organisers of the show standing in for the super star’s identity and the status that he enjoyed in India.
Added to this, Khan’s baggage was missing and the new airport security says that such cases have to be further investigated.
Earlier, the Bollywood showbiz in the US was controlled by one Vijay Taneja and his company Elite Entertainment. But this firm had to wind up as Taneja was convicted in a mortgage fraud last year.

======================

http://news.in.msn.com/nationa.....id=3159548

NyKavi 22 August 2009
03:20:24 am

This new twist is not surprising. In the US, a whole bunch of these event mgmt companies that cater to bwood shows are quite crooked. It used to be rumored that while Abu Salim was in the US, he used to be involved in running a lot of these outfits, and with his bwood intimidatory connections, used to get several stars here for his shows.

Gorilla 22 August 2009
05:02:29 am

SRK needs to be very careful. His strong Dubai contacts and his thirst for power can make him corrupt.

ali 22 August 2009
06:33:02 am

Why KING SRK really hurt-
1. He got one of the Highest Civilian Honour ‘PADAM SHREE’ by GOVT. OF INDIA.
2. He got one of the Highest Civilian Honour ‘Officer of the Order of Arts and Letters’ by GOVT. OF FRANCE.
3. He also got the Highest Civilian Honour ‘THE DATUK’ by GOVT. OF MALAYSIA.
4. He also have wax statue at Madam Tussade Museum in London.

Beside these he also got Doctorate from Bedfordshire University of U.K .
Nobody in INDIA has recived such International Honour.
He is also one of Biggest Movie Star in the world (as far as no. of fan is concerned)not only in Indian Film Industry but in any Film Industry of World.

What really hurt him is that Immigration Officers at Newark Airport were asking for his identity (Despite the fact that people at Airport were taking his autograph and one of the fellow Airport Officer was VOUCHING for KING SRK).
I think any individual with such an International Honours and Recognition will be hurt that his Identity is in question.
And Still people like amar singh are calling it a publicity stunt which is wrong i think amar singh should apologise to KING SRK for his comment.

Ankit 22 August 2009
07:14:46 pm

I saw his interview which he gave after coming to Mumbai and there is every reason for SRK to feel hurt esp. after he was detained although there was one Airport officer vouching for him. But he is using Kalam Sir in a very wrong way. By citing the example of SRK, he actually is saying that the big names shouldn’t be treated this way. He can’t say that directly for himself so he makes himself a common man and then cites an example of Kalam Sir and says a person like him also received a similar treatment. I think this was wrong.

With the rest of his interview, I agree. The points he said that he is pragmatic as well as idealistic, so while he wants to roam freely in every country, the security checks will be there. And that in this Kalyug people will always be identified by their caste and color. And we all are responsible for it. And the reasons why he felt hurt. All were correct except that he shouldn’t have come up with Kalam Sir’s point.

RAJ 22 August 2009
10:49:10 pm

LOL..Some US Citizen(The show Organiser) is under financial irregularity scanner..and what the US Customs do… grill a guest only because he is attending the show organised by that bugger…

Why not pick that esteemed US citizen and grill him at the first place before you ask question to the guest?? Whic is easier???

Secondly Financual irregularity should be under IT scanner..What US customs and homeland security has to do with it….??

This is a famous propaganda twist(Which the americans are master of) given by the US to counter all these outrage pouring in from India and other countries….

ritz 22 August 2009
11:55:46 pm

Agree on Kalam point Raj. Glad to know that u r not blind fan like few others here

ritz 22 August 2009
11:56:24 pm

OOps I meant Ankit – not Raj.

NyKavi 23 August 2009
12:34:37 am

Raj, US imm and customs are always on the lookout for people who have been convicted of financial fraud, it is not a IRS only thing. In fact IRS heavily depends on US customs and immigration to enforce its regime. The simple reason being that all such perpetrators want to jump bail by fleeing the coutry or want to use international connections to move their loot offshore.
As far as international outrage, Im not exactly sure that the US cares about it. Jon Stewart is viewed as a barometer for the American mood, and that barometer clearly satirized the incident, to the extent of mocking SRK and his supporters.
Once again, I just dont understand why India as a country needs to feel humiliated by this incident. This whole claim by fans that US immigration ought to have recognized SRK is hilarious. The officer questioning him was doing his job. And to suggest that the interrogator shouldve taken the word of a desi official is preposterous. Isnt that pretty much how most smugglers/drug dealers etc get into countries? ie by bribing officials so that they can influence others on duty? Also, should we really believe that there were fans asking for his autographs in the interrogation room? There cudve been fans in the lines at immigration, but why/how wud the officer in the interrogation chamber even know that? And if he had seen it, why should the guy attach any importance to that fact. Is that how people expect immigration to conduct their jobs? This is clearly not a banana republic is it?
I mean, cmon, how can one try to stretch logic this much for justifying the brouhaha.

NyKavi 23 August 2009
12:57:59 am

Now that you’ve gotten me started, let me also add a few things. As a young RSS shishya, the concepts of national duty, sense of order, equality, justice, true secularism were drilled into my head. Unfortunately, the India I witnessed as a kid was a total opposite of what these ideals stood for. And surprisingly, the America that I witnessed as a young adult stood for all these very ideals. The forefathers of RSS could not but have been impressed by the dedication of avg Americans to these ideals, and yet they wouldve been remorseful about how India itself is callous towards these principles.
I keep sensing this deep grudge or resentment against NRI’s or PIO’s on blogs, especially against those who are defending the actions of the US. But most just dont understand that we are driven by the need to preserve those very ideals that we find here and dont find in India. Let me say that to suggest that US immigration shudve done anything differently, wouldve been to suggest that the “sense of order and duty” needed to be disturbed just so they cud placate an influential person. Now how good wud that look to anyone trying to practice those high ideals?

ritz 23 August 2009
01:03:58 am

What SRK should learn from Kalam
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/PoliticsNation/What-SRK-should-learn-from-Kalam/articleshow/4924477.cms

View from America: Want to come to America?
http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/co.....rica-ss-01

rks 23 August 2009
01:17:08 am

“I keep sensing this deep grudge or resentment against NRI’s or PIO’s on blogs, especially against those who are defending the actions of the US.”

pardesi 23 August 2009
01:22:28 am

NyKavi – the people supposedly under the scanner are US citizens, so the role of Immigration of customs in this is negligible. Why not go after these people if you really think they are at fault?

Secondly, since Immigrations is very TIGHT-LIPPED about the details of any case, what reason do we have to believe that any of this is true?

Finally – to me it is preposterous that we would expect a desi official to have been bribed. That is racism of a really vile sort. Is that how we view our fellow countrymen vis-a-vis the white men?

sv 23 August 2009
01:41:42 am

This financial irregularities may be a cover up.No one should be
questioned because of name or region.These policies should go.

NyKavi 23 August 2009
01:49:02 am

How is the role of US customs negligible if they have to keep tab on any and all shenanigans of these financial perpetrators? The best way to go after these people is to examine all the international links which they use to carry out such crimes. Most financial frauds in the US (and for any other country that have high taxation) are carried out by simply transferring ill gotten money overseas to tax havens etc. US law authorizes customs/immigration to work in tandem with IRS for catching such people. So they wont just look at the US citizens, but also at non US people who enter the country, that they suspect of having links to the fraudsters.

I dont understand your final point at all. My comment about desi officials is related to influence peddling. Pandu the desi tells Zeke the redneck: “Hey Zeke, this is SRK, the biggest superstar of India, and a great global icon. He has 2B fans. He has recd orders of merit from 10 diff countries. Let him go, I vouch for him”. Let me know if that doesnt sound like a form of inflence peddling. And let me know if Zeke wont have suspected Pandu of accepting bribes after that comment from Pandu. Its very easy to allege racism in every case where a white law enforcement officer questions a non white.

Forget desis. Do you think Zeke wudve listened to any other white officer vouching for a Hollywood icon? I guess you have not seen the countless mugshots of celebrities that get stopped and grilled by cops. They relish such moments, because they all believe that these highly paid entertainers are spoilt brats, and will do everything under the law to get them behind bars, if they have broken laws. In fact, the interrogating officer in this case wudve been further emboldened to be harsh on SRK had a fellow desi vouched for him in that manner.

NyKavi 23 August 2009
01:52:40 am

SV, profiling will never stop. It is the only way available to law enforcement to stop crimes.

pardesi 23 August 2009
02:01:28 am

NyKavi – I think you are simply wrong here. In the case of home-grown celebrities I have seen the “officials” getting their pens out for autographs, and rather that being harsh the case is exactly the opposite, be it actors, rock-stars, whoever.

As for the rest:

1. How should we believe that this “news” item is true? Who in Immigration gave out this scoop? Are they even allowed to talk about it?

2. Do we know that these people are under investigation? Then why do they roam free? If corrupt concert oragnizers immediately flag the celebrity the organize for then were the Bachchans flagged last year and questioned?

3. The Dubai concert was organized last year, then why was the flagging not done at the time of MNIK filming? Why wait for a second trip?

4. Profiling may not stop, but it is still wrong.

Gorilla 23 August 2009
02:01:42 am

From the whole issue it once again proved that in India it is always much ado about something small and no show over something big. SRK’s underworld involvement(whatever little or unintentional it may be) is coming to the fore as the prime reason of him being detained. So what’s the problem? He should be kicked in his butts if he has contacts with hooligans or anti-social activists.

I hope SRK does not end up becoming another Sanjay Dutt. I am sensing tip of an iceberg here. I pray that i am wrong.

pardesi 23 August 2009
02:05:56 am

“He should be kicked in his butts if he has contacts with hooligans or anti-social activists.”

Of course – but then we have people who are just that – no ifs and buts and they roam free with their butts intact. Let us start with known criminals first, and stop speculating about the rest.

NyKavi 23 August 2009
02:07:07 am

Pardesi, then I guess you missed all the news on Paris Hilton, Mel Gibson, Nick Nolte, Robert Downey, Martha Stewart,Michael Vick, etc. etc. etc.

It seems the perception among a lot of people here is that Immigration in any country simply exists to put thappas on passports.

pardesi 23 August 2009
02:11:19 am

I am well aware of the news about people getting into trouble for criminal activities like securities fraud, drug possession. And I know that immigration does more than thappa. I did raise other points too.

pardesi 23 August 2009
02:13:23 am

http://www.thetimes.co.za/Prin.....id=1053579

Former action star and now politician Arnold Schwarzenegger has invited Shahrukh Khan to dinner after the Bollywood heart-throb’s recent detention by US im migration officers.
According to The Telegraph, the Californian governor has offered to meet Khan in Washington next month in a bid to de fuse the diplomatic row.

pardesi 23 August 2009
02:18:03 am

http://blogs.livemint.com/blog.....ntion.aspx

NyKavi 23 August 2009
02:22:04 am

Pardesi, I am only speculating about all these news items. The who/what/if etc of why it happened can be anything. The interrogation cud be related to terrorism or to financial laundering. Who knows what it was for. But we all do know one thing, that the guy was out in less than 2 hrs. To claim that the a 2 hr interrogation was somehow equivalent to humiliation or worse even torture is preposterous. No wonder, this incident has been aptly satirized in the US, and as is typical of India, it has been overhyped to some form of national humiliation out there.

Mel Gibson seemed to have obtained a permanent halo after his Christ movie. And that halo suddenly disappeared when his mugshot appeareed in the news one morning. If the Americans dont care a hoot about their own superstars, why would they care about SRK? All stand equal before the law. If the law requires a person to be interrogated for 2 hrs, so be it. Let the law run its course. To even use the word “detained” is ridiculous. That secondary immigration chamber is NOT a detention center. This whole brouhaha shudve errupted only if the guy was locked up in an immigration jail for a flimsy excuse. The law ran its course and let the guy go after questioning in an Immigration Chamber, so what was the whole issue about?

pardesi 23 August 2009
02:31:01 am

“The interrogation cud be related to terrorism or to financial laundering. Who knows what it was for. But we all do know one thing, that the guy was out in less than 2 hrs. To claim that the a 2 hr interrogation was somehow equivalent to humiliation or worse even torture is preposterous.”

This is in itself full of inconsistencies. If the questioning was related to money laundering or terrorism and the party was innocent then outrage is to be expected. As for whether it was ever claimed to be worse than torture – can you please provide a link? There is an NDTV interview in which SRK says that he claimed nothing, he was delayed, went to the event, and came back to hundreds of messages on his phone. In essence the media made it at event he never did.

The use of detained or detention is subject to interpretation. I do not know who used it first, and what their level of knowledge was about the secondary check point.

Do we know that every person who is sent to the secondary check point is sent because of financial fraud or terrorism suspicion? I know of many who are sent for various visa related issues that have nothing to do with such matters.

pardesi 23 August 2009
02:32:41 am

Mel Gibson assaulted a person in a club. How is that parallel to any kind of immigration questioning? Was SRK accused or convicted of any wrong doing?

NyKavi 23 August 2009
02:39:23 am

Pardesi, I have to stop arguing with you, cause you just dont want to accept that law enforcement ought to be given any freedom to carry out their duties. I once again repeat, SRK was not ARRESTED. He was merely questioned. But it seems that he is so big, that a free pass ought to be given to him anywhere in the world. And in that expectation, we will clearly throw out the concept of equality in front of the law.
Anyway, here is a response to that 8pointreaction blog from that site, and I end this discussion with this aptly stated comment:

From dummupapu August 22, 2009 7:37 PM HAI FRIENDS. SO MUCH DISCUSSION OF SRK. I AM A DIE HARD SRK FAN. I AM ALSO A MUSLIM. I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT WHATEVER INCIDENT HAPPENED, IT WAS UNNECESSARY FOR SRK TO HIGHLIGHT IT AND MAKE A BIG DEAL OF IT. WHY? LETS BEGIN WITH U.S. THE FACT IS IT BOILS US WHEN MUSLIMS ARE TREATED THE WAY THEY ARE IN SECURITY CHECKS AND DAYTO DAY LIFE IN U.S. BUT DO YOU BLAME THEM? FOR WHAT? SIMPLE AND LOGICAL FACT IS THAT AL QUIEDA WHICH PROCLAIMED ITSELF AS REPRESENTATIVES OF MUSLIMS ALL OVER THE WORLD WENT AND MADE 9/11. EVERY DAY OUT OF 25,000 THREATS THAT U.S. GETS, NEARLY 17,000 ARE FROM MUSLIM ORGANISATIONS WHICH HAVE PROPPED UP LIKE PARASITES.CAN WE BLAME THEM FOR BEING PROTECTIVE OVER THEIR COUNTRY AND TAKE PRECAUTION. U GIVE RELAXATION FOR ONE CELEBRITY, WITHIN A YEAR U WILL HAVE 1 LAKH PEOPLE WALKING OUT OF SECURITY WITHOUT EVEN A CHECK. SRK MADE A BIG DEAL FOR BEING DETAINED FOR 2 HOURS? FORGET ABOUT REFORMING U.S. WHAT ARE U DOING ABOUT MUSLIMS AND MUSLIM YOUTH BACK IN INDIA. THERE ARE MILLIONS OF PROBLMS. EACH DAY SOME CRAZY MULLAH ISSUES FATWA FOR SILLIEST OF REASONS. SANIA WEARING A SKIRT, ISSUE FATWA. WHERE ARE YOU WHEN THINGS ARE GOING WRONG IN OUR OWN COUNTRY. IF YOU DO NOT WANT TO BE RELIGIOUS AND TAKE UP THE CAUSE OF UPLIFTMENT OF PROBLEMS OF MUSLIMS, THEN PRAY DONT TRY TO REPRESENT THEM IN U.S.I DONT CARE IF ITS FOR A MOVIE PROMOTION OR U JUST FELT. EVERY DAY, INDIA IS BEING ATTACKED BY TERRORISTS ACROSS THE BORDER, AND FROM AFGHAN.ALL IN THE NAME OF QURAN. HAVE U EVER HAD THE GUTS TO COME OUT ON NATIONAL PRESS AND CONDEMN THESE PEOPLE FOR WHAT THEY ARE DOING. WHEN SOME1 ASKS THE ABOVE, U SLIP AWAY TELLING THAT U ARE A ENTERTAINER, NOT A POLITICIAN,AND U DONT WANT TO COMMENT. SO, UNLESS U WANT TO DEDICATE A PART OF YOUR LIFE IN REALLY BRINGING A CHANGE NOT IN US, BUT IN OUR OWN COUNTRY, PLEASE STOP THESE EPISODES OF PUBLICITY. IT HURTS PEOPLE.

Gorilla 23 August 2009
02:48:10 am

I agree with Dummupapu and most of what Nykavy said.
Pardesi’s passion for supporting SRK is admirable.

Gorilla 23 August 2009
02:53:14 am

I also agree with Tango that we should protest our rights but not the way it was sone in SRK’s case. It was too phoney and now when the stories of SRK’s relation with underworld/crime world is surfacing, everyone is eating their foot.
I think we as fans sometime ignore the basics – security of a nation comes first.SRK saying that he was a ‘Khan’ and hence was detained sounds ridiculous. But anyways, i am getting a feel that he is in for more trouble if he doesn’t stop accepting gifts from Dubai and making connection for his own right reasons in a wrong way.

ali 23 August 2009
04:00:42 am

It seems that anti KING SRK people (not Dear Gorilla at least) finally got the topic (they were waiting for it for years) to turn down KING SRK .
And i’m really amazed to see that they are trying their level best by giving all type of information by which they can justify their negative feelings against KING SRK.
God bless them all.

rudresh 23 August 2009
07:08:24 am

and vice vers also dude, u can see all kinda of illogical reasoning by fans of so called ‘KING’

ali 23 August 2009
08:51:42 am

you too ruds ????

Ravi 23 August 2009
09:52:33 am

Very nicely said Nykavi bhai, as usual. Nice points brought up, was a very good read.

Doga 23 August 2009
10:55:14 am

The thing has almost died, its not in news anymore, in 2 weeks it will be ancient history.

Now its time for SRK to chill out and reflect if it was worth doing all the press conference and all.

To me it seemed as if after some time, most people were not even interested in what he was saying.

pardesi 23 August 2009
11:08:52 am

Nykavi – please show me one post where I suggested US law enforcement should stop their routine procedures. As for the rest – if stupid politicians demand tit-for-tat and all that, then who should be blamed for it? I think it should be the people who elected these stupid politicians and no one else. Usually a democratic country gets the leadership it deserves. By bringing into this discussion other instances of US celebrities who were prosecuted for criminal activities one is suggesting that there was criminal activity that caused this secondary interrogation. That is unfair.

The points brought up by Nykavi and Gorilla contradict each other. If there is racial profiling, then he was stopped because his name was Khan. And many other Khans were similarly stopped.

ritz 23 August 2009
11:58:51 am

Pardesi, the above comment by Dummupapu and the link “View from America” which I posted earlier should answer your racial profiling.
(posted above link for “View from America: Want to come to America?”).

pardesi 23 August 2009
12:15:37 pm

It does not – I prefer to hear people on forums give their own opinions.

Doga 23 August 2009
12:47:24 pm

Are we seriously discussing if racial profiling exists or not. ofcourse it does. But it depends on time to time and place to place who is racially profiled.

Remember Bob Cristo(the Gora side kick of the villian who used to come in 70’s and 80’s movies), who was he, he was representing the tyranny which the British Government put India through.
So the action movie was not done until Bob was beaten badly by the Desi hero, which will avenge all the misdeeds. If there was a real bad case of racial profiling it was indeed Bob, but i guess he wont mind it as he made a living out of it.

Doga 23 August 2009
12:55:35 pm

I the same way Muslims will be shown as mischievous entities whenever needed in hollywood movies at least for the near future.

We have to live with that.

And believe it or not, the conditioning gets so bad sometimes that it can even happen subconsciously.

I dont know someone follows Professional Wrestling much but it somehow has a good parameter for these, they always use character pertaining to the situation at hand, there used to Iron Sheik in mid 80’s representing the Iran Resistance and they would intentionally put him against Sgt.slaughter(representing USA army), similarly Yokozona(Japan), Diavari and Mohammed Hassan (Iraq) have represented Mischievous and scheming people in Wrestling stories and booking.

Angels and Belds 23 August 2009
07:31:57 pm

lol – this is an all star topic already!

@nyk ‘To claim that the a 2 hr interrogation was somehow equivalent to humiliation or worse even torture is preposterous’

ah nyk – a good set of thoughts undone by that one statement. lets separate this debate into 2 separate issues
a. whether the interrogation was proper
b. whether SRK reacted correctly

no arguments on (b). SRK behaved like a total idiot – no 2 ways about it. but then he is a bollywood actor and over the last year or so – he is increasingly behaving wierdly like aamir and amitabh. as an SRK fan – its very hard to like anything SRK does nowadays. I mean – does he really think he is funny when he keeps repeating about doing checks on megan and angelina. yikes! his humor is becoming as gross as ILG’s!

Now (a) interests me more as a debating point. And NYK i respectfully disagree with your above statement. Does one have to live with it in the current world paradigm – yes – very much. But it is easily the most humiliating and torturous experience people can go through. It is idealistic to say that the immigration guys are doing their duty – yes some of them are and they are usually very fair. But – i would say based on experience – at least 20% of immigration folks do it as a power trip – and thats when all semblance of fairplay goes through the door. I am pretty sure that SRK was very humiliated in what happened – that much i will agree on. But he could have won lot of fans – if he had handled it with class instead of crass. Well – at least one can say that crass behaviour is not a forte of amitabh and aamir alone anymore!

RAJ 23 August 2009
11:09:22 pm

“””As a young RSS shishya, the concepts of national duty, sense of order, equality, justice, true secularism were drilled into my head.”””

My dear friend avg Indians wake up In the morning and attend offices in spite of swine flu, naxal threat, flood, draught because of one reason …national duty….Sanjay Dutt gets convicted and sentences for 6 years..salman khan was put behind the bars for killing a black buck…jessica lal gets justice ….If this is not equality then what is??? Yesterday was ganesh Chaturthi and ramzan…Avg Indian celebrated both….Avg indians practice true secularism….Truer than US can ever think of…An ACP fights the terrorits without a proper Bullet proof Jacket and gets killed…Do you find that in US??? A constable fights AK 47 with a century old rifle…now what is that if not national duty??? atleast 5 police men gets killed everyday by naxals..this is not national duty???

Dont preach that its only US which have these concepts…We Indians inspite of all our problems practice those ideals too…Its only some people in power dodge these ideals and I bet same is the case every where ,US included…What Bill Clinton was doing while fucking monica cant be a call of national duty…Ronald Reagons’ scam cant be a national duty..In India a 6 years old school boy do not get in to a class and starts firing bullets….

No country is perfect…India is a 62 year old democracy and people are comparing with US whose democracy is centuries old…

It pains me a lot when out fellow Indians goes to a foreign land and starts glorifying whatever they find in that country and starts criticising whatever Indian…

“””But most just don’t understand that we are driven by the need to preserve those very ideals that we find here and don’t find in India.””

RSS forefathers would have been very hurt reading this line from an Indian who is preaching from a foreign land.They would have been happy if the same person would have come to India and contributed in keeping those ideals….

I urge fellow Indians to come back to India and try keep those ideals…I will be more than happy to extend a helping hand…This is our duty….Till then no more preaching please..

Gorilla 23 August 2009
11:38:08 pm

Raj, loved your first reply in your last comment.
Your second reply is a bit harsh as Indian working abroad is also representing India and contributing to her economy in a big way – directly or indirectly. They ensure doubly hard that they keep Indian values intact than an average Indian living in India. It’s not that they want to, it is just that they have to.

RAJ 24 August 2009
12:00:30 am

“Raj, loved your first reply in your last comment.
Your second reply is a bit harsh as Indian working abroad is also representing India and contributing to her economy in a big way – directly or indirectly. They ensure doubly hard that they keep Indian values intact than an average Indian living in India. It’s not that they want to, it is just that they have to.”"”

Agree Gorilla,

I may sound a bit harsh…agree with some points here vis a vis indians working abroad…I respect them for doing that…My objection is to the mindset where “‘They criticise anything Indian without really trying do something about it”"” …

The point is not about economy…Who would uplift our indian society…The onus is definitely on us staying in india and moreso on the indians who have gone abraod…because they are better placed to bring all the goods what they have learned and earned there to India…This what national duty should be…

I would love to see more “”Sam pitrodas”" here in india…who dedicate their lives for the betterment of the country inspite of having the capacity to earn millions outside india…Dont want a charachter like “”Lord meghnad Desai”" who would shout from the roof top and say how bad india is…

Angels and Belds 24 August 2009
12:09:40 am

i dont believe NYK was in anyway preaching. Lets not even get into this NRI vs IRI topic – its absurd to say the least. So yes – we thrive on chaos in India and do somethings right – but that doesnt mean we have to assume that we are better. I do think we need to learn a lot from western society – especially about value of life/quality of life/dignity of labour/dignity of individuals. As much as we claim to be – we are far far below western standards in the above categories – and therefore we are the poorer for that. Inherent strength of an individual comes from admitting his/her weakness and not gloating over his/her strength!

RAJ 24 August 2009
12:16:01 am

Beld,

i dont think i said anywhere that we are better than the western world…I was just reacting to the claim that we as indians do not have any ideals…That is wrong…i said we are doing are best in the given condition..Yes we have to learn a lot from the western world and there is no denying this fact…and so as western world has to learn a lot from we indians too…

NyKavi 24 August 2009
02:31:04 am

Raj
I was not in anyway denigrating what India stands for. All those instances which you have stated do indeed belong to a pantheon of countless other acts of honor/duty/sacrifice that millions of Indians perform daily. But the unfortunate fact is that the effect of those sacrifices get very easily undone by the selfishness of few in power. Corruption does exist in the west, but it pales in significance to what we have. And as for social responsibility, when I see the richest in India building billion dollar mansions and squabbling over pennies, but the richest in US bequeathing their entire wealth to charity, I really dont have much to argue about after that.
A lot of things to state, but let me assure my dear friend, that this NRI is not spitting back at his Mother India. The blood of freedom fighters runs in these veins. And some of those freedom fighters who are still alive, are actively working hard daily to uplift lives of the forgotten masses that are crushed under an unforgiving steep social pyramid. Unfortunately, time and again, all they get back is scorn, deceit and treachery from officials and those in power. All they get back is a First class Railway pass, a citation and empty words of gratitude on very Aug 15th. Yet they persevere and prod on. I wish I could have the indefatigable spirit which they possess. But I do my bit by funding their activities, at least I find solace in that much.

RAJ 24 August 2009
02:55:37 am

Nykavi,

I know i used some harsh words which i could have avoided…But i love my country too much so i cant take anything which talk ill of my country..But i do understand that we are not perfect… so kindly take those words as a spur of the moment slips….

“”" wish I could have the indefatigable spirit which they possess. But I do my bit by funding their activities, at least I find solace in that much.”"

Thanks bro .I understand and appreciate…

“”"I see the richest in India building billion dollar mansions and squabbling over pennies, but the richest in US bequeathing their entire wealth to charity,”"

Agree quite a bit…But i have seen riches doing a lot of charity in India too… Its another thing these things never get highlighted in the media…

But yes i agree to your view that the people in power in INdia are more corrupt when we compare to that in west…You are right when you say these are the people who have forgotten the ideals of our freedom fighters and forefathers…This is indeed is really sad…

NyKavi 24 August 2009
03:28:46 am

Raj
we are just mere ants, trying in whichever way to mobilize social upliftment. We create social nests, foster ideals, and hope that more people will do the same, and a tidal wave of such efforts can ensure national upliftment. Unfortunately, all such grassroots efforts merely amount to a few green shoots that eventually wither away without further support from those in power. Corruption is the big black elephant in the room, and it just keeps getting bigger every moment. It mercilessly tramples all those greenshoots beneath its feet. Its only idealists who think that they can slaughter this menace.
The earliest NRIs who left India didnt do so out of choice. They loved this country, but just couldnt survive in a system that was essentially corrupt from the very beginning. That elephant was a baby in 1947, but was big enough to devour the entire system of a fledgling baby democracy. As the country grew, so did this monster. Grassroots social activists never really had a chance to slaughter this monster ever.

RAJ 24 August 2009
04:12:11 am

NyKavi,

Power at the hand of govt catered to corruption…With opening of economy and with competition much of that power was taken away from the govt sector…The cleansing process is on..It would take time…But there is definitely hope…

This democracy will take some time before it matures…The media activism ,the right to information(RTI act) have been deterrent to corruption in some cases…Our judiciary system was never short in intent …Lack of manpower and reforms here hampered the justice giving process…

I dont grudge the NRIs who left 50 years ago because of the system…But the time has come for their come backs…No longer India can afford brain drain…Reverse brain drain has started and its a metter of time it becomes a revolution and bring about a positive change…If Narayan Murthys,deepak parekhs,qalams,ARRs ,Sachin Tendulkars can be a part of the sytem and become world class why not others..??

If a daily laborers like the “‘Prince Dance Group”" can fight with the sytem and still become champions on national stage why not others..??

I believe..today if you are corrupt in India there is more chances of getting caught and brougt to book than say 10 years ago…Corruption mushroomed till say 1995.. I believe India of 21 st century is way better than the India where talents got suffocated….This india has started to take notice of the talent and have started to reward them…Nothing is impossible…but my dear freind we need to hope and keep our faith intact…

julie 24 August 2009
04:32:08 am

Some great points made by NYK. Agree with Beld on the inappropriateness of segmenting Indians across the Globe. I do believe that criticism of a system should be taken as an eye opener / something constructive, rather than a denigration of the motherland. No true Indian would ever hate his / her motherland. One must not forget that a place is characterized by the people and the systems that they create. Many Indians have deep love for India and that is why the concern expressed on such boards / forums. Love is of course a relative term and there is no way to weigh it and define whose love is greater. NRIs constitute a major portion of the mainstream, making substantial contribution to the GNP of India through investments in India as well as offshore income.

In no way any system is perfect. Neither in the West nor in the East. But certain things are paramount and one that takes precedence over the rest is the national scurity / defence of one’s borders as well as adequate internal security. The system has to first set it’s house in order before really claiming to be a part of the global whole. The points raised by NYK and some others here are very pertinent and should be taken as a reminder to our government in India that when people wake up every day in the morning, they want to be able to travel to work with a view that they will return home in one piece. India is surrounded by such venomous neighbours and all the more reason for it to be extremely vigilant as well as assertive in pulling up it’s defences.

US had one 9/11 and the government has ensured it’s people that such an incident was not repeated to date. If our governemnt is taking similar steps, great. But the last 5 years as one sees has witnessed grave number of incidents all across many of these issues taking a backseat in the eyes and attention of our corrupt media which would much rather spend time on highlighting the inhouse fights or debates between party politicans, or a celebrities life, nature and fancies.

RAJ 24 August 2009
04:40:45 am

Julie,

If you read my comments carefully i have not tried to segment the Indians living across the globe..I have only questioned the mindset of some of the Indians …

“”I do believe that criticism of a system should be taken as an eye opener / something constructive, rather than a denigration of the motherland”"

Agree here..only opposing to the mindset where criticing anything indian is more of a fashion statement..

RAJ 24 August 2009
04:59:23 am

Another thing which has become fashionable is to criticise the Indian govt(Whom so it may in power) for not able to control terrorist activities and also taking the example of how after 9/11 no terrorist activities have happened in US..

India suffers a different kind of problem…India have atleast three volatile neighbors who are supporting anti indian activities(Pak,Ban and offlate Nepal) the problem which US do not have…Indian army has to contend with atleast 5000 Kms of porous borders connected to these three countries……In india there atleast a dozen homegrown terrorists organisations and naxalite menace…

So comparing with US govt is just not fair…US installations have been attacked 11 times since 2001 at various countries and more than 250 US citizens have died…

Yes the UPA govt in its last term was very slack in its attitude towrads terrorism…But i can see a marked improvement in their approach towrads terrorism and in the infrastructute to tackle terror…After 26/11..indian intelligence have foiled many terrorist attempts which the agencies should take credit for..

NyKavi 24 August 2009
05:19:28 am

Raj
The Kalams, Tendulkars, Rahmans etc are exceptionally gifted individuals who just could not be stopped even by a corrupt system. They advanced by the sheer intensity of their talent. But they are also 1 in a million. The greatness of a country is measured on how it treats the 999,999 others who are not as talented.
I disagree about corruption having reduced after the economy opened. Certainly, it is less in new economy sectors such as IT. But it is present in every walk of life from the govt offices to police stations. Also, it has become much more sophisticated. Politicians dont depend on low level corruption, they now only dip their fingers in the highest level projects where the returns are actually far more than what used to be previously.
Regarding terrorism and the US. They might not have to deal with venomous neighbours like ours, but they too have a vastly porous border from which it is very easy for terrorists to get in. One just needs to jump the border from Mexico, thousands of illegal immigrants are doing it daily. Determined terrorists may already have as well.

julie 24 August 2009
05:19:32 am

Raj – It is not a fashion to criticize the governemt in Power but it is sheer concern for the national security measures adopted by the government. Do not take a critique to be a fad for pleasure. I don’t thing that the NDA really came under so much flak for national lax national security measures (except for the Kandahar incident).

It is not like that Oh there were lots of incidents in the past under UPA government, but things are more in control now. What has happened speaks of an intrinsic weakness about the government’s mindset itself to tackle the issue of terrorsim with a firm hand. The UPA has gone on record saying that POTA is not needed and scrapped it in 2004. Now is there a correlation of some nature in relaxing the Anti Terror laws in India and the rise of incidents of terrorism.

http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/politics/day-after-jaipur-blasts-bjp-sharpens-attack-on-upa_10048642.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prevention_of_Terrorist_Activities_Act

http://www.expressindia.com/la.....hi/365345/

Rocky 24 August 2009
02:41:14 pm

What SRK should learn from Kalam
MJ Akbar
Link

Qalandar 24 August 2009
03:03:35 pm

Thanks for this Rocky, I enjoyed reading it. Although I often disagree with Akbar, I do agree with most of this article…

Qalandar 24 August 2009
03:04:07 pm

PS– I didn’t realize until the rediff piece that Taneja was in jail on charges of mortgage fraud!

Rocky 24 August 2009
03:14:41 pm

Ya Taneja’s arrest was big news back then !!

pardesi 24 August 2009
03:17:34 pm

What a bogus piece!! If the Indian political machinery chooses to mobilize itself then fingers should be pointed in the right direction. If the first talk of the incident originated with SRK initiating talk with the media then he is certainly at fault, but by all reports he responded to media questions that flooded his phone and that led to a juggernaut.

Qalandar 24 August 2009
03:18:14 pm

Rocky: the paragraph I liked most in the Akbar piece was the following:

“Shah Rukh Khan was quick to deliver a slightly pompous sermon when his colleague in the film industry, Emraan Hashmi, complained recently that he was being denied a flat in an exclusive part of Mumbai because of his religious identity. Shah Rukh could have kept quiet, of course. But there are no brownie points for silence. You cannot be a celebrity if you do not celebrate your own importance at every opportunity. The superstar told the star to stop crying, grow up and so on. Why did Shah Rukh forget to give himself such advice when his imperial procession to Chicago was marginally interrupted? Instead, he wailed loud enough to be heard in Delhi.”

Rocky 24 August 2009
03:20:32 pm

Q- I Know !
when i read that last paragraph , I knew the top was just a ruse to actually write this paragraph !!!

pardesi 24 August 2009
03:20:33 pm

Stragenly enough Hashmi himself later came out and talked of miscommunication and not discrimination. When SRK and Salman spoke about this incident were they asked to comment on it or was it spontaneous?

Qalandar 24 August 2009
03:24:39 pm

Pardesi: I don’t know. Though stars have many times declined to comment on stuff they are asked to comment on: e.g. Shiney Ahuja case; Sanjay Dutt case; Salman Khan blackbuck case; Bharat Shah case. In every such instance, good luck finding a forthright answer whether one was asked for or not.

Rocky 24 August 2009
03:25:31 pm

Pardesi – he too brought it up by telling the waiting fans that he is late because he was stopped at the airport !!

Qalandar 24 August 2009
03:26:16 pm

Rocky: the other interesting thing is the identity of the author. M.J. Akbar is known to be close to the Congress, as is SRK, and I wonder if this sort of piece reflects some minor annoyance within the party, perhaps with SRK, perhaps with Ambika Soni? [The latter isn't very likely, as she is pretty close to Sonia Gandhi...]

Rocky 24 August 2009
03:30:13 pm

Q- could be,
although Akbar seems to be pissed of at SRK for not backing a fellow actor who was facing religious discrimination, where his words could have actually made a difference.

pardesi 24 August 2009
03:30:52 pm

If one is late at a large public event, it is only polite to comment on that. I see nothing wrong with that. And his comment was most innocuous. As for declining to comment, when SRK did not comment on 26/11 he was branded a desh-drohi, then when he did it was not appreciated either. Is it possible for these public figures to please everyone?

Rocky 24 August 2009
03:37:38 pm

Usane kaha chaahata hai kyaa,
Mainne kaha chaahat teri
Usne kaha samajha nahin,
Maine kaha ,QISMAT teri…..

Qalandar 24 August 2009
03:38:35 pm

Pardesi: I object to that. Barring a few stray people here and there, no one has said anything about SRK’s patriotism, let alone such questions rising to the level of a “branding.” He is one of India’s most prominent celebrities, and accepted as an Indian icon by millions. In fact, I sometimes get the feeling people who criticize SRK might be branded as desh drohis

pardesi 24 August 2009
03:42:28 pm

Object to what? The Shobha De piece on “no comment from SRK” should be available, and many others picked up on it and said the same. Only those who criticize the Bachchan family are Desh Drohis – baaki sab chalta hai, otherwise NG would be a desh drohi site.

Rocky 24 August 2009
03:47:41 pm

Crap- did not realize main anjane mein Kaun se ParDes jaa raha tha !!!
ooops !!

rks 24 August 2009
03:48:45 pm

Homi J. Bhabha and Niels Bohr

Was reading this…

Rocky 24 August 2009
03:50:34 pm

RKS batana chaiye tha na …..

Rocky 24 August 2009
03:51:27 pm

The Dharmendar Interview was like 48 min. long, but overall maza aa gaya sun kar !!!

rks 24 August 2009
03:56:14 pm

BTW, Reader digest has filed for chapter 11.
Reader’s Digest Files for Bankruptcy Protection

Doga 24 August 2009
04:56:26 pm

Whatever this was, SRK’s detention,humiliation,coming of age,moment of realization,publicity no one know, but one this is for sure,

That his name is KHAN,

and thats whats matters the most, lol.

Doga 24 August 2009
05:01:37 pm

Let me have the privilage of posting the 300th comment on this fateful topic.

Now admins Close the thread please, lol.

rks 24 August 2009
05:27:35 pm

Doga – link

Doga 24 August 2009
05:46:45 pm

Thanks RKS, great find, what does that make me.

And i thought no one could ever equal brian lara’s record of a 300 and a 400.

RAJ 26 August 2009
03:55:18 am

“”"I disagree about corruption having reduced after the economy opened. Certainly, it is less in new economy sectors such as IT. But it is present in every walk of life from the govt offices to police stations”"

Nykavi..

I didnt say that corruption has decreased after opening up of the economy..I said there are more chanaces of the corrupt official being caught and punished today than may 10 years back…This has happened due to the activism of media,judiciary and RTI…Surely these three things will act as deterrenet to corruption in near future…

Also i say this because from 1998 onwards, India is fortunate to get the Prime Ministers and Presidents whose integrity cant be quetioned…Srating from Vajpayee to Manmohan singh and Kr narayanan to Qalam we had leaders who kept utmost transparency in their public life…

RAJ 26 August 2009
04:02:07 am

Julie,

“”"It is not like that Oh there were lots of incidents in the past under UPA government, but things are more in control now. What has happened speaks of an intrinsic weakness about the government’s mindset itself to tackle the issue of terrorsim with a firm hand. The UPA has gone on record saying that POTA is not needed and scrapped it in 2004. Now is there a correlation of some nature in relaxing the Anti Terror laws in India and the rise of incidents of terrorism. “”"

I agree to the view that UPA govt was really slack in handling terror in their last regime….Our lack of intelligence gathering,vote bank politics helped the terrorists to solidify their network in India ..The home grown terrorists also got political backing from parties like SP(Mulayam and the great Amar Singh) and Lalu Yadav…

But i do get a feeling that with the new regime and with PC at the helm of affairs things have improved…Also the very fact that after 26/11 there was enoromous outcry and outrage against the establishment from the common man ,the present govt do not have guts to defy that sentiment…

After 26/11 ,defiinitely country’s security appartus have pulled their socks although a lot more needed to be done…

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rks

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