Great news, folks.
Bollywood star Shahrukh Khan, who has made no secret of his dislike for our nation America, was stopped for additional questioning by U.S. immigration authorities at Newark airport in New Jersey yesterday.
No sooner was Shahrukh Khan out of U.S. immigration interrogation than the arrogant star promptly lashed out at the U.S. officials for asking him ‘silly questions‘:
They were asking me silly questions like if I knew someone in the US who could vouch for me, if I could give them numbers of people they could get in touch with….They wanted to know why I came here.
Silly questions, you sick f**k?
The last time we let a bunch of America haters at the airport board planes, they rammed planes into the World Trade Center and caused the deaths of thousands of innocents.
Will you be happy if that happens again, Shahrukh?
No, right?
Then don’t frigging whine about our airport security.
You got balls, go lead a protest against Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi for turning a blind eye to the slaughter of Muslims wholesale in your country India. But the spineless coward and pussy that you are, you turned chicken and ran with your tail between your legs.
WTF does this jackass Shahrukh Khan think of himself. Just because he makes crappy movies like Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi or Om Shanti Om he deserves a free pass at the security points of our airports, eh?
Folks, a lot of names keep popping up at our airport security including that of Senator Edward Kennedy at one time. No one – not even you, Shahrukh – is above the law.
There’s no guarantee that popular figures or those in high positions will not engage in illegal activities. Let’s not forget that Indian Members of Parliament have been arrested by Indian police on charges of human trafficking to the west.
We are trying to improve our security system and you need to cooperate, not throw tantrums because a few additional questions were thrown your way.
So stop bitching, Shahrukh Khan. Don’t like our country, don’t come here.
Shahrukh Khan, you hate America but you desperately, shamelessly crave our money. That’s why you were here recently in the U.S. filming for your new movie My Name is Khan.
No Secret
That Shahrukh Khan does not like America is no secret and a fact he made clear in an interview he gave to the The Times (of London not the Mumbai rag Times of India) in 2008.
Shahrukh Khan minced no words about America in his interview with Anil Sinanan, Times Bollywood Film Critic:
I don’t like America. I love London as I feel at home here. People say English people are very cold and not friendly but I find them amazingly warm.
It’s not the people of London alone that Shahrukh Khan finds charming.
To me London is the hub of the world and anyone doing well there is a top notch achiever to me. I am not talking about Mr Mittal or Monty Panesar but about every Indian, Pakistani, and Sri Lankan who is there. I love the fact that another country like England has opened its arms and invited us with so much love.
In an AFP story, Shahrukh Khan is also quoted as saying:
I am little worried about Americans because they do have this issue when your name is Muslim.
Oh, really.
But what about the daily humiliation and mistreatment Muslims endure in your country India. What happens to your sense of outrage then.
Cat got your tongue?
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what’s your problem? this is funny, really!!
poor SRK. I hope they issue a public apology to King Khan.
tataaaa!!!!
SearchIndia.com Responds:
You write:poor SRK.
What a namby-pamby. We mean SRK, not you.
The pansy went crying to the Indian media – Sob, sob, the U.S. immigration asked me so many questions…sob, sob…somebody, please help me…sob, sob
Great news, indeed. Watched in the news channels this morning, which were howling about this issue.
First they screamed – ‘SRK was detained in US for about two hours’. Now they report – ‘SRK was detained for one hour’.(They make a big scene out of H1N1 too. Reporters and certain news channels are nothing but a mob of morons.)
A month back, Former President Abdul Kalam was stripped off as part of security check by Continental Airlines. They asked him to remove his shoes and pushed them through X-Ray scanner. Although government condemned it and Continental Airlines apologized, Abdul Kalam did not make it big issue. [Other than accepting whatever happened was true.]
SRK reportedly said, ‘They detained him because he is an asian’. WTF?
[Btw, your post does not sound neutral ;-)]
SearchIndia.com Responds:
You write: your post does not sound neutral
First, let’s keep in mind that we are dealing with an individual, who’s already made it clear that he does not like America. Additional questioning and scrutiny of Shahrukh Khan is definitely warranted.
Second, SRK is lying if he maintains that he was detained because he was Asian. Senator Edward Kennedy was stopped all the time for additional scrutiny. The last time we checked, Senator Kennedy was neither from Noida nor from Nellikuppam.
Third, look at this ACLU list. There are quite a few White Americans.
It is ridiculous considering he’s been to the U.S several time and it would have taken the officials less than 1/2 a minute to figure out who he was…
According to Shah Rukh, the other officers confirmed his identity but there was one (some stubborn fool like you) who chose to ignore that & continued with the questioning.
And btw, he is not a America hater! I already explained that to you here:
http://indiablogs.searchindia.com/2008/02/18/shahrukh-khan-hates-america-why/
poor SRK.
My dad had the same experience.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
1. You write: It is ridiculous considering he’s been to the U.S several time
Just because someone has been here several times does not mean his intentions are not despicable.
Osama bin Laden too has been to the U.S. So are we supposed to roll out the red carpet for Osama (Make sure your ADDled brain understands that we’re talking about Osama, not Obama).
2. If the U.S. immigration officer had reason to send this fella for additional questioning, so be it. Happens all the time. As we said in response to a previous comment, Senator Edward Kennedy was stopped all the time for additional scrutiny. The last time we checked, Senator Kennedy was neither from Noida nor from Nellikuppam.
Also, look at this ACLU list. There are quite a few White Americans.
The last time we were a little lax, 19 whackos killed some 2,974 people in the air and on the ground.
What a bunch of ass-kissers yall are, sucking up to a B-grade actor from a C-grade nation that slaughters Muslims with impunity.
3. You write: And btw, he is not a America hater!
Dream on. It ain’t no crime.
i am not talking here for SRK but in general US is not kind for MUSLIMS as my cousin whose name is Feroz Khan has not been given VISA….I thought Obama will treat muslims differently from Bush but he also falls in the same pit as Bush
SearchIndia.com Responds:
You write: my cousin whose name is Feroz Khan has not been given VISA
If we were to grant U.S. Visas to every Khan, Ahmed or Shariff, you wouldn’t find a Khan, Ahmed or Shariff any place else.
😀
Out of all I said, only the last point bothered you much…?!?!?!
I said it for – ‘daily humiliation and mistreatment’ sounds somewhat exaggerated.
By the way, US Govt reportedly said – ‘SRK was not detained but made to wait since one of his luggages was lost by the airlines. Around one hour, he had to wait, after which the baggage arrived at.’
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Yes, Indian muslims are subject to humiliation and mistreatment. Have you seen the ghettoes they live in or looked at their literacy levels or their socio-economic status?
When they are slaughtered as in Gujarat, nobody gives a flying f**k but SRK gets detained for additional questioning for an hour or so, voila, all of a sudden Indians get their knickers in a twist.
And, you see, American Ambassador to India said – a lot of americans simply love SRK’s few movies.
Now, what he is smoking? 😉
SearchIndia.com Responds:
The U.S. Ambassador must be smoking some nice Afghan hashish. 😉
Nobody knows SRK here. Honest.
If he were to walk on the NYC streets, the only ones who would recognize him would be the South Asian cab drivers and desis.
Oh another Srk hater!
Shahrukh does not HATE America so much he wants to bomb them!! F*** all the SRK HATERS.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
You write: Shahrukh does not HATE America so much he wants to bomb them
How would you know? That’s for our immigration officers to determine.
Just look into this:
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601088&sid=a1GAhRTCDGBw
😀
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Read the piece in the above link.
SRK is not above the law.
If his name came up for additional screening on the U.S. immigration officer’s monitor, so be it. He has to submit to it like everyone else.
The fella is just going whining to the Indian TV channels for sympathy, publicity and to portray the U.S. in a bad light.
Keep in mind that people are standing in line in predominantly Muslim nations like Bangladesh, Pakistan, Egypt for a chance to come to the U.S.
When the U.S. Ambassador says a lot of Americans love SRK’s films, he probably means the South Asian cabbies, who have become American citizens. 😉
Don’t you say anything about Kalam’s incident? 😉
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Kalam frisking incident happened in India (at the Delhi airport).
We believe all travelers must be frisked.
In India, we believe there are exceptions for some people like Robert Vadra (Priyanka Gandhi’s husband) and a whole host of others.
That is utterly stupid.
for chrissake, i’m just messing with you.
i agree its perfectly acceptable for him to be questioned. He shouldn’t be making such a fuss about it.
Most likely, turning it into a promo opportunity for his next movie – My name is Khan.
& i hate the way he is so mindful of his fan base in Pakistan & Bangladesh.
he’s still the best though.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
1. So much ado about nothing.
The incident is the lead story in TOI, DNA and HT. Ridiculous.
2. You write: Most likely, turning it into a promo opportunity for his next movie – My name is Khan.
The thought occurred to us too.
dont be surprised if it is a planned publicity stunt.
mnik a sucess before it is released
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Wouldn’t be surprised at all but isn’t the movie some time away from release.
According to Wiki, My Name is Khan is slated for release in February 2010.
yes it is@ lead story and Indian celebrities are all up in arms about it.
Really ridiculous…I read in quite a few articles Shah Rukh claims he told the officers: “I am a movie star”.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
1. You write: I am a movie star
Thank God, he didn’t say I am a movie actor. 😉
2. That idiot Ambika Soni (India’s information and broadcasting minister) is now calling for a tit for a tat.
Ah man. I was waiting so long for this post as soon as the news broke last night.
I read Ambika Soni’s comments last night when this first happened. My initial reaction to her tit for tat comment is that she is a twat. There is absolutely no logic in her comments. “They search me hard when I go to America, so we should identify all people from America when they come here and make them go through a hard search too,” blah blah blah. This attitude is what is getting India a meager 5 million tourists a year, or whatever that figure was that SI published a while back. At the same time it also indicates that security is not really taken as seriously as it should be because it appears they don’t really do aggressive checks in India. This was after all where terrorists waltzed into Mumbai’s harbor in November and the Keystone Cops were on hand to stumble and bumble their way around for 48 hours until things got under control.
One of the great ironies about this incident is all the ‘outrage’ from India about the security and immigration officers at Newark Airport. Had any of these people in the media been to Newark Airport, they would know that about half of the people who work there, from security people to food vendors to immigration officials etc., are all desis/of South Asian ethnicity. So I find it quite funny that he was ‘detained’ there and ‘they didn’t know who he was.’
Next, this quote from Rajiv Shukla: “It is really not fair. Just because he has a common surname does not mean that every Muslim can be taken as a suspect or considered to be a terrorist. The Amercian authorities should adopt a methodology so that well-known names like Shahrukh Khan and APJ Abdul Kalam are not harassed like this. They should focus on getting the actual suspects.”
So let’s make a special rule for famous people? Ridiculous! There was an incident when I was in Omaha where I was at a post office waiting in line to buy stamps and this local tv sports anchor came walking in and just went straight up to the counter expecting immediate service. The worker said, “Excuse me sir, you need to go to the back of the line.” He gets all indignant and declares, “DO YOU KNOW WHO I AM?!” She goes, “Yeah, you’re Dave Webber. You do the nightly sports on KETV 7. Now go to the back of the line.” He started stuttering and stammering. Half the line broke up laughing. It was awesome.
As for the line, “They should focus on getting the actual suspects.” Does he mean that the 99.9% of the other people named Khan who get stopped and checked are the actual suspects who deserve full searches, but not this holy movie star? Ridiculous!
Obviously people from India have no concept of what it is like to live in the NYC metro area before during and after 9/11. Guess what, I’m white and I’ve had to take my shoes off and go through a metal detector and sometimes a wand search when I go through airports. I’d hope every other person does as well so I know that my flight will be safe. As you said SI, last time I checked, people weren’t using planes for toys and weaving them into the skyscrapers of Mumbai, but that kind of happened in NYC. I know it’s approaching 8 years ago and all, but if you have a problem with being questioned or ‘not being allowed to use your cell phone’ feel free to turn around and go straight back to where you came from.
America is a welcoming country to all people, including Indians, if they follow and respect the rules that are set out. If you have such a problem with the rules, why don’t you go to North Korea? I heard from Laura Ling and Euna Lee that it’s a lovely place.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Well said.
Wonder if you are aware of the No Frisk policy in India. Ridiculous.
Can’t wait for SRK to get out of the U.S.
Now the idiot’s whining to the sycophantic Indian media of being humiliated here.
Maybe it is overblown in the Indian media, as are other worthless stories. But the fact is US has always had discriminatory frisking policies for those with Muslim surnames.
I’m not saying India is not discriminatory. Maybe you are happy that Shahrukh was frisked because you don’t like him personally, but that’s another topic.
There are thousands of other Indians who are detained everyday, which is not being reported in the media, which is obvious.
Would Bollywood be up in arms if I were to be frisked? Lol
SearchIndia.com Responds:
1. You write above: But the fact is US has always had discriminatory frisking policies for those with Muslim surnames.
Possible, after 2001. And any discrimination in society is definitely not nice because discrimination against one group could slowly creep toward other groups too.
But last we checked Semmangudi Iyer or Michael Fernandes did not blow up WTC and the Pentagon.
2. You write: There are thousands of other Indians who are detained everyday, which is not being reported in the media, which is obvious.
Are you talking of India or the U.S? Most likely, you are referring to India(??).
It’s the height of irony that India, the Encounter Capital of the World, should get outraged, no, make that enraged because a two-bit actor like Shahrukh Khan was asked a few extra questions by American immigration officials.
3. You write: Maybe you are happy that Shahrukh was frisked because you don’t like him personally, but that’s another topic.
We don’t give a f**k for SRK one way or the other. We are neither in love with him like the gushing Indians nor do we hate him.
It’s just the attitude of entitlement, the I am SRK. Ergo, I am special that we find objectionable. He can shove that attitude up his canal – where it belongs – when he’s here (U.S.).
In any case, we look at the SRK incident through the prism of Americans and not through Indian eyes.
Problem is, Some percentage of the people turn to be emotional idiots, and they blindly fall in love with actors, and famous personalities for no reasons. They are treated as demigods. Wonder if people ever understand whatever they are looking at through the silver screen or media, is not the actual person.
And these guys get used to enjoying the special status, and expect the same from other planets too. [May their dicks be given to guillotine!]
The incident of Dave Webber, quoted by the gora, is nice, and that is how it should be.
Desis always enjoy breaking queues, being cheapos, expecting any free-stuff with a costly buy, et al. They always adore being an exception or having an exemption – in whatever it is.
Another hot topic in the media days ago was – BCCI opposes WADA code being extended to Cricketers [Actually is against one clause – that is, Players must be reachable and must convey their location where they are at the moment, even if they are out of play-period]. Noteworthy thing is, the whole world had signed it, and the cash-rich BCCI opposes. Abhinav Bindra [Gold medalist] says he was part of the code for past five years. And these schmucks dont accept the code. [There are other famous players who are skeptic about the code, but still they signed obeying the system.]
Some media channels are plain pieces of garbage. They do not give an ear when farmers die out of hunger, but they’ll scream if a cricketer is removed for a match.
They are mad to the extent, when terrorists attack taj, they would show the blue print of the hotel and who got stuck up where, on a live show. Many of those people found dead next morning (Terrorists had access to Tv, and had blackberry phones). They did not concentrate much on attacks on same day in Shivaji terminus (claimed 30+ lives). But they howled much over taj attack – a place of richer swines. Out of mind.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
When it comes to the rich and famous, the devil takes over a large chunk of Indians, who engage in mindless worship of fame, money and power.
The problem is that these glitterati, having gotten used to their d**ks being sucked and their a**es licked by Indians in India expect the same treatment outside.
And when they are treated like everybody else outside India, these scumbags start throwing tantrums because they are not treated like Maharajas.
People are dying of starvation in Bihar on the 62nd anniversary of India’s independence and desperate farmers are pulling the plug on their lives in Andhra Pradesh and all attention focus is on some two-bit egomaniacal actor SRK.
As we’ve said in the past, for a variety of reasons we do not believe in this nonsense of glittering, shining India.
@boopalanj
Ever heard of the “Halo Effect”? Not just celebrities, politicians and god-men too are heavily dependent on that evolutionary psychological weakness of humans.
Look at this.
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/PoliticsNation/Do-not-feel-like-stepping-on-American-soil-any-more-Shahrukh-Khan/articleshow/4898569.cms
America is going to perish, without him stepping on your soil again. My god!
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Just read the piece in your above link and found this gem:
Yeah, the U.S. Immigration Officials have been hired solely to bugger the hell out of SRK’s entire family! Isn’t there a limit to nonsense. SRK was called in for additional questioning and this scumbag is raising cain about that.
What a prick SRK is turning out to be.
Inshallah, this suvar (pig) will get out of our country fast.
As for not stepping on U.S. soil, who’s this buffoon kidding. As long as we throw a few dollars at him, SRK will come crawling on all fours to pick ’em up.
After worthless reporting of this s*it in the Indian media (Yawn), I request the US authorities to step up scrutiny on all ‘stars’.
Last heard, a seasoned UN diplomat, Shashi Tharoor is ready to take this up with the US authorities.
Also heard, SRK would like to frisk Angelina Jolie when she’s here (how sarc – ass – tick) could he get.
Like you replied previously, profiling may have gone overboard post 9/11 in the US, but it does seem to be working for the security of the country.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
You write: Last heard, a seasoned UN diplomat, Shashi Tharoor is ready to take this up with the US authorities.
Sure, let’s take it up at the U.N. too.
SI,
So would you justify Kalam’s frisking too (leave him getting apologies from the airline)? He is a muslim too right! All of your followers respect you a lot and hence would request you not to become so biased against 1 religion. Yes, there are terrorists, extremists, fascists who are Muslim but there are at least 10% good people too. I am a Hindu and I am not a fan of SRK. US has rules to frisk or question anyone but then there must be some judgement to it. The frisking of Kalam clearly shows how they are moronic, stupid to the core and are more “R” word than any other country in the world right now. This country was famous for throwing bottles at black sportsmen, not allowing illustrious football players to stay in decent enough hotels and making them stay in servant quarters, black people not being allowed inside hotels, etc. The list is endless. There are still sects / clans of people who practice shit stuff.
The process has to be fair to everyone. They would not frisk a texan, no way!! I have travel regularly and see different people frisked, questioned, and subjected to bag checks but none of them are white.
As for you, we have really great respect for you. We think that you are very liberal and a greatly evolved human (a trait that is rarely shown by Indians). We request that you please remain the same way. I am not saying that you shold not have opinions or tell us about it. We look up to you to call it right down the middle. Hope you will.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
1. You write: So would you justify Kalam’s frisking too (leave him getting apologies from the airline)? He is a muslim too right!
U.S. policy as best as we can gather is to frisk everyone except sitting and former Presidents (who in any case would not travel commercial).
Just because you happen to be Priyanka Gandhi’s husband, you don’t get a free pass.
In an ideal world, everyone should get frisked. That would be fair to everyone.
2. We have traveled fairly extensively here and Whites too have to endure the same primary check, remove their shoes, take out their laptops et al.
As for secondary checks, it’s hard to say on what basis people’s names keep popping up on the Immigration/Security Officer’s screen. If you look at the ACLU list, you’ll find fairly well known Whites here.
3. Sure, there’s no denying racism in our country (U.S.). That’s hardly a secret.
4. We’re not fans of any ‘God’ and try to be objective, irrespective of the issue or personalities involved.
You can try installing these plugins:
http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/wordpress-thread-comment/ – For threaded comments.
http://txfx.net/code/wordpress/subscribe-to-comments/ – Let users subscribe to comments (marketing tip: it brings users back to your blog thru’ their emails)
SearchIndia.com Responds:
We’ll look at it later today.
But generally, things are not that simple with WP plugins…there’s also the issue of compatibility with theme and version of WP.
Agree with your opinion on SRK and this drama, but not with this
“Yes, Indian muslims are subject to humiliation and mistreatment. Have you seen the ghettoes they live in or looked at their literacy levels or their socio-economic status?”
I am not sure whom you are blaming for their literacy levels, but how can anyone be blamed for this? Infact, Indian Muslims have all quota and stuff.
Looks like you also tried some publicity stunt (like SRK) 😉
SearchIndia.com Responds:
It’s a fact that the plight of the Muslims in India is pitiful.
Rather than do an autopsy to arrive at the causes (there are too many villains on all sides, in any case), we ought to renew our efforts to raise the Muslims from the ghettos through fresh initiatives. But given the current poisoned communal atmosphere in India after the spate of bombings in Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore et al tis’ easier said than done.
In communal riots, given their lesser numbers Muslims do bear the brunt.
Even if we agree (and we don’t agree) that the Muslims fired the first salvo at Godhra, the carnage that followed was akin to a holocaust for the Muslims, most of whom were likely members of the lowest of the lower economic classes.
..will come crawling on all ‘fives’.. 😉
“Jaya News” news reader had almost cried this evening regarding this incident. Amusing.
It (the channel) projected him like a warrior who emerged victor inspite of all the sh*ts thrown at him.
Would recommend “Thyagi” pension for SRK for having withstood the white aggression towards Asians 😀
SearchIndia.com Responds:
You write: Jaya News” news reader had almost cried this evening regarding this incident
Was it a guy or a gal? 😉
You see, there’s always been speculation about SRK’s sexual predilections.
Indeed, the issue of SRK’s sexual preferences even figures in Anupama Chopra’s book King of Bollywood.
Anupama writes on SRK-Karan Johar:
Discrimination exists on many many levels on the US. This fact seriously hamstrings the supposedly open door policy of the US towards those from other cultures. It has more to do with economic competition than anything else. It is only by-the-way racial or religious in nature.
I would bet if SRK were a Hollywood star, he never would have been held up in Customs. He’d have been taken to a private VIP area to wait for his luggage. He wouldn’t have needed anyone to vouch for him. The customs officers would have been innately sensitive to his importance as a cultural icon and money-maker. They wouldn’t have cared two cents about his background, religion, politics, social activism or sexual preferences.
The real gods in the US are all money-related. To such do those who daily do their work in uniforms, and borrowed authority, deeply bow.
I was very angry about what happened to SRK. It was seriously an insult. It wouldn’t have happened to Brad or Angelina. This is what pissed him off. He should have gotten even angrier, but I think he’s a genuinely good guy and doesn’t want to get too irritated. Unfortunately for him, when he’s a little angry, he doesn’t think about the ramifications of his words. Unless this was a stunt. In which case, well done Shah Rukh! Remember that trick he did with the wire and the pillar in Main Hoon Na? Probably not… lots of his stunts slide under the radar.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
1. You write above: The real gods in the US are all money-related. To such do those who daily do their work in uniforms, and borrowed authority, deeply bow.
True, but true of every culture particularly India.
2. You write: Remember that trick he did with the wire and the pillar in Main Hoon Na?
A horrid movie we’re trying to forget. The Tamil version was a gazillion times worse.
3. You write: It wouldn’t have happened to Brad or Angelina
In India or the U.S? In India, given the drooling fascination with White skin, yes, they’ll get a free pass.
But in the U.S., they’d still have to pass through security.
It has become trendy nowadays for actors to say i am being persecuted coz i am a Muslim. First it was Imran Hashmi (Who torment every1 by way of his movies http://obscureindian.blogspot.com/2009/08/imran-hashmi-and-his-allegations.html, now it is SRK.
The way these guys are treated in India, they think they are Demi-Gods and want the same treatment everywhere. I remember few years back Music Director Nadeem ran from India after Gulshan Kumar murder and said he would not want to come to india to attend trial coz he would be prosecuted since he is muslim. Azhar said the same thing when he was caught for match fixing.
Fact is Muslims are much better off than Hindus in India. The Ghettos are of their own making. I am not sure if you have been to Hyderabad, the old city is a big ghetto. When Chandrababu Naidu was the CM of AP, he tried a lot to change that place but could not succeed. The sitting MLA and MP are from Muslim community (from a party called MIM) and they have been holding the post for the past 30-40 years. They have not allowed any development.
The fact about any ghetto in India or in any big city for that matter is, politicians do not want people to change otherwise they would be out of work.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
1. You write: Fact is Muslims are much better off than Hindus in India.
That’s baloney. A few, yes. But most Muslims are in a bad shape.
2. You write: The sitting MLA and MP are from Muslim community (from a party called MIM) and they have been holding the post for the past 30-40 years. They have not allowed any development.
Depressing.
A good report in TOI which captures SRK’s sense of being treated unfairly: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/news/india/I-do-not-want-an-apology-says-Shahrukh/articleshow/4900428.cms
With the story changing, and the US offering an apology, I think it points to SRK being in the right.
No question that everyone has to pass through security. But US celebs would not be pulled to the side that way only because their luggage is missing.
This is something like what happened with Professor Henry Louis Gates. It seems all above-board at first, but when you look underneath, there are some creepy attitudes prevailing which are causing the trouble, and the people doing the mistreatment are hiding behind the rules-books. We’ve all seen this kind of stuff happen, and we know how insidious it can be, and how hard it is to fight against when someone is using “the rules” to cover up their bias and aggression.
SRK’s attitude is justified, imho. He has the right to be treated respectfully, and to complain if he’s not treated that way — just as everyone else does. As for his saying the Brits treat him like a state visitor, OK, that’s over the top to expect in the US where even past Presidents and VP’s aren’t treated that way — but to be ignored and disrespected is a very big contrast, and in any case no one should have to put up with it.
When people speak up against injustice, it changes the world.
As for all the rest of the things SRK can be criticized for, I have seen him support causes which no one else in India with any clout was supporting, like HIV awareness. His personal life is his business, not ours. He is an outstanding public citizen of India.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
1. You write: With the story changing, and the US offering an apology, I think it points to SRK being in the right.
Where did you read this bit about U.S. offering an apology? We haven’t seen that anywhere.
Completely unwarranted, even if an apology was indeed offered (which we doubt).
2. If you look at this ACLU list, there are quite a few White Americans. Come on, Edward Kennedy was frequently stopped.
3. You write: We’ve all seen this kind of stuff happen, and we know how insidious it can be, and how hard it is to fight against when someone is using “the rules” to cover up their bias and aggression
True, human beings are capable of invidious, duplicitous, treacherous behavior but in this instance it was a security issue because SRK’s name popped up on the screen, prompting a secondary check.
Are we supposed to ignore our security drill because this two-bit actor is the cock of the walk in India (and not to forget, gave us two crappy movies lately – Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi and Billu Barber).
Main Hoon Na horrid? It was a blast of fun.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
You write: Main Hoon Na horrid? It was a blast of fun.
Is it true that in the remote villages of India, when young children refuse to go to bed late at night their elders bring them to heel by threatening to make them watch Main Hoon Na?
Everyone would do anything to avoid a 9/11, so why are people getting upset? Its not that SRK was stripped and thrown into jail for a week with no food or water (aka New York).
I saw this in one of the news and its well said:
Someone might argue that the Khan = Muslim = possible terrorist = detention logic, although profoundly offensive, it seems to have been built into the system with the rationale that it is better to humiliate a thousand innocent Khans than let a potential terrorist Khan enter the US.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
SRK is also adding fuel to the issue with nonsensical statements like the following:
As if U.S. immigration officials have been hired solely to attack SRK’s family.
This morning, I wrote a comment on the NYTime’s The Lede blog about SRK. As of now, the blog shows only ten comments. I seriously doubt that only eleven people found that blog and cared enough comment on it. The NYTimes tweeted it, for God’s sake. My comment was written six hours before the first one that shows there. Now why would the NYTimes not approve my comment?
There was no NYTimes review, synopsis, or even movie database entry, for Kaminey. There was no NYTimes mention of the India Independence Day parade and show. The Lede selected only ten out of an unknown number of comments for the SRK blog. The Lede only bothered to publish the SRK entry after seeing SRK was trending on Twitter. Only ten comments, but it’s remained on the front page for twenty hours. Hmmm. You can draw your own conclusions.
My conclusions? Economic-based cultural xenophobia, especially when it comes to the movie industry. This is something SRK’s been fighting for a few years in the US. No wonder he’s disgusted with the US right now.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Eight of the 10 comments on the NYT Lede blog are supportive of U.S. action vis-a-vis Shahrukh Khan.
Good, there are more sane elements (80%) in the world than we thought.
Strange that your comment was not approved by NYT. Maybe, the content in your comment required some ‘secondary inspection’ by a Senior NYT Editor, you know kinda like SRK’s secondary questioning. 😉
@hgquinn You’re right it wouldn’t have happened to Brad or Angelina, because they are US CITIZENS!
Remember one of the questions that allegedly deeply humiliated him, “Do you have someone who can vouch for you?” If you are a citizen you don’t get that question. But guess what, it’s called immigration and customs for a reason, to monitor all the people coming into the country, especially those who are not citizens who need to be informed of all the rules and regulations. Apparently, all of India thinks there should be a separate set of rules for SRK, which is ridiculous.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
You write: Apparently, all of India thinks there should be a separate set of rules for SRK, which is ridiculous
This nonsense has reached such farcical proportions that, according to the NYT, Shahrukh’s fans are planning a protest outside India’s Parliament.
Don’t say India a C grade country… Whatever it is we are fine with it. We means indians.
Supposedly your blog is also named search india. There is no harm in checking or detaining SRK. But if indian authorities provide additional support to dignitaries of US, America should be courteous too. That’s how relations are built. If you wish to command respect, you give respect. It’s not school days nemore that you ll sshh india n make it sit in the corner. A billion plus people make a hell big market for your American companies.
As no country is perfect, mine is also not but it doesn’t mean that U can say nethin u wish to demean it. How bad the actor he maybe, or he may hate america but still he has in him what makes him superstar. I m no fan of him but still he deserves to be respected for his achievements. Do google about the honours bestowed upon him. N u jus came up with Edward Kennedy all the time. N dude u may be an american but ur dad or grandad must ve happened to be indian. So don’t forget ur roots. Cutting them won’t help u. Jai Hind. God bless you n your america.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
1. Please do read our Incredible India posts to get a sense of the Shining India unfolding.
Mera Bharat Mahan. 😉
2. You write: It’s not school days nemore that you ll sshh india n make it sit in the corner.
Who are we kidding here, kiddo. No more than a couple of months pass by before India gets pussy-whipped by some passing whacko.
How many bombings, how many attacks on India over the last two years? And China hasn’t even got started yet. Get real.
Who said that we don’t have troubles. Still we do not need commentators from outside. If you can’t change it, don cribb about it big daddy. Atleast India had no maniac like ur previous uncle sammy the bush with little veenie… which have butchered your beloved soldiers to stuff oil into his a**…go watch what mr. moore has to say about it… don’t tell me that he s not authentic.Do google the number of martyrs in Iraq n Afganistan. N who gave u the right to bomb any country u wish. Ur own bush is a f**kin terrorist. N india is not a pussy dude. We know that war is not the ultimate solution. Its just not feasible. N hate jus calls for hate. Thats y america is pokin billions in ass of Pakistan. It ain’t no good common sense. N we r alive to see the next couple of months…..
SearchIndia.com Responds:
You write above: Who said that we don’t have troubles. Still we do not need commentators from outside.
Since when have authors needed permission of their readers.
2. You write: Atleast India had no maniac like ur previous uncle sammy the bush with little veenie… which have butchered your beloved soldiers to stuff oil into his a**…which have butchered your beloved soldiers to stuff oil into his a**…go watch what mr. moore has to say about it… don’t tell me that he s not authentic.Do google the number of martyrs in Iraq n Afganistan.
Wow, when did dubya let you measure his schlong. BTW, length has little to do with performance 😉
True, our military-industrial complex that Ike Eisenhower warned about in the late 1950s has grown into a monster likely encouraging war and destruction to peddle their weapons.
I ask all Indians who say,”But we don’t treat THEM the same way!!” , one question—why don’t we?
I think the reason is colonial hangover.
We take our security far too lightly.
Our celebrities/movie stars are used to “special treatment” even from the government all the time.
It is a good thing that the high and mighty SRK was given this treatment in Newark.
And just because you can Google someone and find a lot of hits proving that they are Bollywood stars doesn’t mean they cannot be terrorists. I mean, don’t the names Monica Bedi, Dawood Ibrahim ring any bells?
How do you know SRK is not like that? You and I may find that idea ridiculous or even offensive, but it is upto the officials of Newark to determine without a trace of doubt that SRK is not a threat to USA, before letting him enter their country.
Not that I am a big fan of Salman Khan, but I think he might be the only sane person in B’wood right now.He had this to say when asked to comment about the Newark incident: “It’s good that the country has such a tight set-up,there has been no attack after 9/11 because of this”.
And lastly, I think the right way to react about this incident is to ignore it completely.
For all you know, this might be a publicity stunt for another of his harebrained movies.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Sensible points.
Every single one above. 🙂
interesting views from all ….the point is nobody is above the law ….including SRK ….
but was he treated in such a way that it made him feel that he was targeted because of his religion ?? …considering that he is a well known figure ….then there is a problem …
Other victims include ….PV Narasimha Rao , George Fernandes ..Kirti Azad ….Now none of them are muslims … all of them went there on official visits …Fernandes went there as a defence minister during the NDA regime ….still this happened …..A former president is made to undergo this right at India before boarding a american flight ….APJ Kalam …
Now ….None of these are potential terrorists ….they have come through official channels ….yet there is a problem …
the solution lies in giving it back ….
Checks for shady characters even if he is a public figure is different ….to target a kalam is unacceptable ..
SearchIndia.com Responds:
1. You write above: considering that he is a well known figure ….then there is a problem …
Osama was a well-known figure before he attacked us. No one, as you acknowledge above, is above the law.
2. You write: the solution lies in giving it back ….
The solution lies in formulating standard procedures that applies to all without exceptions.
While I agree that security procedures need to remain the same for everyone, this incident or should I say non-incident has brought up an interesting debate.
I think we should improve our screening procedures. After all we have the photograph and finger prints of the individual holding the visa. It should be pretty easy to tag an individual on the basis of biometric information, rather than just the name. Then the screening would be a lot faster.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Biometrics will probably take another five years to get to India.
Even here (in the U.S.), they’ve just set the biometric ball rolling.
SI writes: “Eight of the 10 comments on the NYT Lede blog are supportive of U.S. action vis-a-vis Shahrukh Khan.”
I expect The Lede cherry-picked the comments that were approved. Any story that stays on the FP of NYTimes.com for 20 hours would get more than 10 comments. Guess they only wanted Desi words, and even then only from a limited POV.
the gora writes: “You’re right it wouldn’t have happened to Brad or Angelina, because they are US CITIZENS!” Please read what Santripi Vellody says in this article: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/17/nyregion/17india.html
The downside of India’s VIP culture is the very heavy criticism its stars get as backlash. It’s much more negative than US stars get. Is envy of good fortune the cause of this?
SearchIndia.com Responds:
You write above: The downside of India’s VIP culture is the very heavy criticism its stars get as backlash. It’s much more negative than US stars get. Is envy of good fortune the cause of this?
Some of India’s top movie stars are sick fu**s in the literal sense.
They frequently engage in thuggish behavior (including assaulting people, journalists et al), shooting and killing endangered animals for sport, possessing illegal weapons and cases involving alleged drunk driving by top Bollywood movie stars that cause death of multiple pavement dwellers never get investigated because the Indian police are notoriously corrupt.
Most Bollywood stars (including the pater familias Amitabh Bachchan) feature in Hindi movies that are outright stolen from successful Hollywood films and these assh*les then inveigh against piracy.
We’d recommend that you research the bad behavior of Bollywood stars but life is too short to engage in pursuits that’ll consume so much of your precious time and afford too little joy.
It’s not envy but sick behavior of some of these Bollywood animals that irritates Indians tremendously.
If these Bollywood mongrels think the world will embrace their crapulent movies, we don’t know what they are smoking but we’d like some of that too. Outside of South Asians, no one will ever watch their garbage.
It took a Danny Boyle to make a slick ‘Bollywood’ film and take home eight Oscars.
Btw, that article in the Times is the only place that the paper reports on the India Independence Day celebration in NYC. The only other mention was in Spare Times, which lists the week’s cultural events.
There is bias going on. SRK just got noisy in his reaction to it. Keeping quiet doesn’t make it better, it allows it to continue. I applaude SRK’s courage. He’s getting some heavy backlash from some because he refuses to be nice and quiet about it. Why should he be quiet?
And what do SRK’s most recent films have to do with his predicament? What does speculation about sexual preferences have to do with the matter? If someone says, “I don’t like toast because it has horrible mulberry jam on it,” when the matter under discussion is bread, that’s conflation.
In fact, SRK was singled out for unknown reasons, and per TOI the US offered an apology, which SRK did not accept. Why would the US offer an apology?
Should India learn from the US, without any opportunity for the US to learn from India? The US has its attitudinal and procedural advantages, but cultural sensitivity, warm-heartedness, and gracious hospitality are certainly not amongst them, as we all know.
I’m on SRK’s side on this issue. I think he was treated rudely, and it was uncalled for. OK, others are treated rudely too. Does that make it right? Please, you can’t believe that.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
1. You write: What does speculation about sexual preferences have to do with the matter?
The reference to SRK’s sexual predilections was in a lighter vein in response to a SI reader boopalanj who commented that an Indian TV news anchor almost cried regarding the incident.
2. You write: I’m on SRK’s side on this issue.
We’re all entitled to our errors. 😉
Why would on earth a terrorist would enter in the america with a Khan sir name? Where the entire americans are shitting about these names and fearing that these men living in cave in afgan would kill all of them? … If I were a terrorist I would enter in to america with a Albert Nicholas or with a John Anthony.
Though, I am actually happy about he being detained (woud have been more if he was taken in to a police station for not co-operating) for him being such a self praising maniac, but the immigrants officers behave overwhelmingly unprofessional, especially detaining people having Khan, mohammad (A malayalam Actor name Mammoty was detained for his last name), a Islamic researched called zakir naik was detianed for carrying a book about islam. Will any terrorist do it, any sensible one who wants to take down the twin towers do it?…. by doing these things the eventually allow the real terrorist inside the america and they bring down buildings … ah!
SearchIndia.com Responds:
You write above: Why would on earth a terrorist would enter in the america with a Khan sir name (sic)?
So you think terrorists should only have ‘sir names’ like Atta, Almihdhar, Moqed, Alhazmi, Hanjour, Alshehri et al. Interesting.
Better one Khan gets offended because of our security procedures than 1,000 Khans, Ahmeds, Reddys, Iyers, Gowdas, Anthonys, Pauls, Singhs, Patels et al getting killed.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/news/india/US-overdid-SRKs-questioning-Chidambaram/articleshow/4903502.cms
chidambaran intervening!! do you beleive this??
srk questioning has gotten more lines than ex-president’s frisking. gandhi family have very friendly relations with srk. would not surprise me if they influenced chidambaram.
whatever you may say srk has mighty power.
toi articles keeps saying 2 hour plus questioning and detainment and omitting usa officials statement srk was detained for 66 minutes.
as i said in earlier post it is most likely a planned publicity stunt…brainchild of srk, dharma, fox pr and marketing teams. though the release of mnik is in feb. 2010, publicity posters and buzz is all over the net.srk is here to promote the movie. this news made global headlines in print net and tv. even wsj had an article in main section.
and to top the movie is about muslim discrimination and harrassment……..reel and real life.
a number of whites, blacks, and browns are going to see this bollywood production. must say lady luck is also in love with superstar srk.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
1. You write above: a number of whites, blacks, and browns are going to see this bollywood production.
No way. Except desis, nobody gives a flying f**k for SRK in the U.S.
Nobody here cares for Bollywood movies except desis.
2. You write: chidambaran intervening!! do you beleive this??
If you don’t take 66 extra minutes to question travelers (as in the case of SRK), then we’ll have to take 2,880 minutes like India took to get rid of the Mumbai terrorists last year.
i posted a comment earlier did it get into the system?
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Yes, processed now.
We have some desi guests here. Hence the delay in getting to your comment. 🙂
Even, George Fernandes [the then Defence Minister] was frisked. When it broke out as a controversy in India, as usual, he denied that he was not strip-searched, just was asked to remove shoes, socks, and coat, and was asked to spread legs ( 😀 not for what you think) and lift arms.
An actor is no way bigger than a Defence Minister.
[The same George Fernandes had condemned the incident of Kalam [although Kalam did not say a word about it, other than accepting it happened.]]
http://www.expressindia.com/news/fullstory.php?newsid=33792
No compromise is needed when it comes to Security of millions. Even if they are going to do similar kind of frisking for everyone, I am with it.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Everyone should be frisked. Even Namitha and Nayantara.
Who knows what they’ll find. 😉
Ahem.. Then, I would be applying for Immigration Officer at US 😉
SearchIndia.com Responds:
You write above: Then, I would be applying for Immigration Officer at US
Alas, you are not a citizen. So, only we get to handle Namitha, Meera, Navya et al 😉
If SRK claims that he was held up for just being a Muslim, then how come he was never held up on previous occasions post 9/11 (he has made several visits here)? Afterall, he has not had a name change recently.
At first, the hubbub was about simply being held up. Now, the story is apparently about how *long* he was held up.
When will Indian celebrities and politicians realize that their sense of entitlement ends at the Gateway of India? Someone ought to tell Mr. Baazigar that once he is at the U.S POE, he is just Mr. Anybody. To add to the tamaasha, the Chidambarams and the Ambika Sonis are now carrying water for this fellow! SRK needs to realize that, at worst, he ran into an overzealous customs officer, who was being hard-nosed about his day to day routine and in the most likely case, the officer was only doing his duty and SRK just did not like to wait (hmm, precious minutes of his life) for his turn. So, why all the sound and fury over this?
If this adds any perspective, 3 U.S. soldiers who were accompanying the casket of their fallen comrade (from the Iraq war) to Virginia were stripped off their military uniforms by the TSA (apparently, metal objects in their uniforms set off the detectors) at the SeaTac airport in 2007. Now, there is something that deserves all the hue and cry. Mr. Baazigar’s case does not even come close. He needs to learn to live like us rank-and-filers at least when he travels overseas !
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Good points, all of the above. 🙂
ok, now shaddup already.
you’re sounding like an overexcited puppy who’s happy the neighbourhood pug got in trouble.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
If you don’t scram (tail between your legs), we’ll unleash our inner pit bull on you.
you know its true & with your stupid emoticons to boot!
hihihihihihihihihi.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Somebody, please call a vet.
Quick.
Our guinea pig has overdosed.
S.I. : Alas, you are not a citizen. So, only we get to handle Namitha, Meera, Navya et al
Who knows, soon they may “Outsource” this as well to the h1b guest workers 🙂 (atleast they cannot outsource the american presidency .. hehehe )… I am reading stories about americans going jobless, but never have come across one h1b returning home due to recession, whats really happening in america guys, are you hibernating?
SearchIndia.com Responds:
1. You write: atleast they cannot outsource the american presidency .. hehehe
You haven’t been keeping up with the news here.
If you believe the birthers, we’ve already outsourced the U.S. Presidency to Kenya.
In this controversial video (which quickly achieved a considerable bit of notoriety here), a woman is telling Republican Congressman Mike Castle that Obama was born in Kenya.
2. You write: I am reading stories about americans going jobless, but never have come across one h1b returning home due to recession,
A lot of H1B ‘guests’ have returned to Mera Bharat Mahaan.
We just don’t see the same crowds anymore at the desi hubs in NJ and NYC.
Also, please see this story.
He s got a lil veenie… no measuring apparatus or exercise required for this to deduce… His prolific use of army on Iraq has proved that what arsenal he possess inside his pants. I would actually classify that thing into WMD category which were found in Iraq(nothin was found though)…
Actually this name was first given to Sharukh Khan — Badshah Dildo n Veenie dildo… (http://fakeiplplayer.blogspot.com/2009_04_12_archive.html)… This blog was a big hit in this IPL(indian premier league) season.
N i know that authors don’t need any permission from readers…But atleast dignity can be maintained while commenting on someone’s motherland. Truth is stark naked but being naked in public ain’t called civilized.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
1. You write: Truth is stark naked but being naked in public ain’t called civilized
Just wondering how many Indian kids are literally naked at any point because of poverty – 50 million?
2. You write: atleast dignity can be maintained while commenting on someone’s motherland
India is a boon for a small few and a curse to the many masses.
How many other countries can boast of starvation deaths and farmers killing themselves en masse on the 62nd anniversary of independence?
3. Yes, attacking Iraq was a horrendous error and a grave tragedy.
SRK idiot returned Mumbai today http://sify.com/movies/bollywood/fullstory.php?id=14905368
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Read the piece in your link.
Here’s an excerpt:
Only in India, folks.
I think the news/blogs/opinions all cast the actual truth/feelings blown out of proportions which are uncalled for.
Pls. read http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/news/india/SRK-on-detention-It-wasnt-a-drama/articleshow/4906002.cms. No matter how much you hate The TimesofIndia, the video of Shahrukh on this page also appears so you can hear his own words.
Some excerpts for people who are lazy to check the above link:
Khan, 43, said that he did not expect any special treatment because of his celebrity status but found his detention and questioning at the airport in New Jersey “strange and irrelevant”.
It wasn’t a drama. I don’t want publicity. But, I feel routine procedure was not followed there. We should not be treated on the basis of our colour or nationality,” the actor said.
what really hurt him was the question they popped at him several times, “Your name is very common. Can anyone vouch for you to enter here?â€
“I don’t think it is a big deal and I don’t think I need to be treated specially. I am nobody. I am sure that people go through worse,”
He also said he didn’t expect the issue to be blown up so much.â€99 per cent of the times that I’ve been to US such checks have happened with me but at the security department. This is the first time that it has happened to me at the immigration department,” Khan said.
“What happened to Kalam was atrocious as he is a national leader. What happened with me is nothing in comparison to that,” he said.
I don’t want to sound pompous here but I think Shah Rukh Khan does not need publicity. I am too big a star for that. Those who say that I did all this to gain publicity for my film have a cheap mentality,” SRK said.
Having lived in the US for 20+ years and being an American citizen, I felt this bizarre discrimination 15 days ago when I came from India. Many Americans who came along with me in Customs passed by without being stopped. Since I was brown (still fair) skinned, I was issued a note that my bags have been selected for random inspection, they checked my bags thoroughly, not for spices, Dhania, Jeera, pickles, etc., but for bombs!! I had to go through this hassle of opening 6 of my family’s bags checked for bombs. I wanted to remind them that the Oklahoma bombing was done by a white American (Timothy McVeigh), the Shoe Bomber (Richard Reid) was white skinned. However, I fell short of saying that to allow myself to go home early.
Many people feel this discrimination, but quietly go through this not to raise any issues to create trouble for themselves. Unless a celebrity objects to this, the general public wouldn’t know about it. SRK has said that he didn’t have problems with ‘Security Check’ but with ‘Immigration Check’ which is a point to note before commenting.
If all your immigration papers are correct, you would be agitated too if you’re detained needlessly even for 30 minutes. Even if you protest, nobody will hear you whereas SRK’s remarks will be heard.
Amen!
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Read your comment/excerpt in full.
1. You write: SRK has said that he didn’t have problems with ‘Security Check’ but with ‘Immigration Check’ which is a point to note before commenting
SRK’s name popped up on the officer’s screen for a secondary check. So he must abide by the officer’s request like anyone else picked up for additional scrutiny.
Whether you call the officer an Immigration Inspection Officer or a Security Officer is irrelevant.
2. You write: He also said he didn’t expect the issue to be blown up so much.
That’s baloney. SRK talked to the fawning, sycophantic media in India, puts out statements to up the ante and then claims he didn’t expect the issue to be blown up so much.
Let’s cut the BS here. Who’s he kidding.
3. You write: I felt this bizarre discrimination 15 days ago when I came from India. Many Americans who came along with me in Customs passed by without being stopped. Since I was brown (still fair) skinned, I was issued a note that my bags have been selected for random inspection
You are what? Brown (still fair) skinned, eh. OK
It’s all your fault. You should have applied more of Fair & Lovely or Veeco Vajradanti when you were in India. But being a cheapo desi, you were probably skimping on the amount applied. Just kidding.
Seriously, it’s hard to figure out on what basis the names keep popping up on the officer’s screen for secondary checks or why some travelers’ bags are picked for thorough inspection.
That said, no one’s ever said the U.S. is a post-racial society or Obama’s election changes things.
Most of us have experienced racism first hand.
We’ve experienced hostile treatment at the hands of both Whites and Blacks (who often take their cue from Whites). Very unpleasant.
BTW, we are expecting some avakai and magai pickles shortly. Hope they sail through.
@OpenSesame
How can one isolate the “immigration check” from the “security check”? The person entering the country and his/her *intent* is potentially the biggest threat of all (at least as much as what (s)he carries in person or in their baggage). Some of the 9/11 hijackers had been to the country well before they were on the specific mission to fly airplanes into buildings. So, this is a distinction without a difference.
Also, lets say a passport shows a recent record of travel through Pakistan and/or Afghanistan. Don’t I have a duty as a customs officer to ascertain what the person was doing there given that the passport itself is Indian (not that I am suggesting this is the case with SRK). Or if you repeatedly pass in and out of this country (no matter that you are shooting films or are the master of ceremonies), then it arouses suspicion as well. There are a number of TSA rules that are applied and one or more of these could flag a person for further questioning. TSA/Customs will not disclose these since the “clever” terrorist will then try and circumvent the rules. When you are flagged for questioning, that is done in a separate room from the booth for routine processing so that the rest in line aren’t held up. Now given this, why is SRK complaining about the wait? It is standard fare once you are flagged.
I am a U.S citizen and I recently passed through customs as well. I am a “brownie” as well and there were brownies before me and after me that day and not one was singled out for further screening. So, does that imply all brownies are exempt from additional searches? Or based on your experience, does it imply, brownies are singled out for further screenings? Neither. When we mix up perceived slights with real excesses, it becomes hard to ferret out racism / prejudice where it truly exists.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
All sensible points.
1. You write: SRK’s name popped up on the officer’s screen for a secondary check. So he must abide by the officer’s request like anyone else picked up for additional scrutiny.
He did, whether forcefully or not, for 2 hours. The media came to know only when he announced at the place wherever he went as a guest at the function (Atlantic City?). As I said earlier, a common man’s fuss wouldn’t be heard. SRK’s words were heard!
2. You wrote: Whether you call the officer an Immigration Inspection Officer or a Security Officer is irrelevant.
‘Security Check’ here is meant ‘handbag screening’ and ‘passing through metal detector’. ‘Immigration Check’ here is meant ‘checking of valid papers for entering this country’. These two are different as SRK has said that he had gone through security checks many times and hasn’t complained.
3. You wrote: That’s baloney. SRK talked to the fawning, sycophantic media in India, puts out statements to up the ante and then claims he didn’t expect the issue to be blown up so much.
It’s very natural for a celebrity when the media is so much interested.
4. You wrote: You are what? Brown (still fair) skinned, eh. OK
I included the word ‘fair’ to avoid any ambiguity about being ‘dark skinned’ and could be the reason for baggage check.
5. You wrote: Seriously, it’s hard to figure out on what basis the names keep popping up on the officer’s screen for secondary checks or why some travelers’ bags are picked for thorough inspection.
Baloney! there was no such computer in front of the officer. He saw me and just handed the note out and sent for opening the bags. Out of about 10 people held when I was there, 9 were from your race (Desi) and one was from Africa.
Enjoy your avakai and mangai!
SearchIndia.com Responds:
1. The previous commenter mogambo (please see above) has rebutted the point well about the “immigration check†and the “security check†in the first paragraph.
2. You write: Out of about 10 people held when I was there, 9 were from your race (Desi) and one was from Africa.
Every traveler’s experience is different.
Again, Mogambo’s experience was different from yours. Pl see his/her last paragraph (previous comment).
3. SRK stirred up things with the media including with outrageous statements like:
S.I. @ excerpt (srk fans in airport):
In India you get these ‘Allakai Mundams’ (begging mongrels) for a pocket of biriyani and a peg of arrack. The f**king moron SRK, might have had his assistant arrange for this pathetic ‘gathering’ of these allakais. Ah!
SearchIndia.com Responds:
You can’t buy better publicity for My Name is Khan.
The Governor of California is hosting a dinner in honor of SRK to make peace…..lol
Stupid Americans…..we should just leave them alone…
and you are right…they have every right to keep dangerous elements away for security. The Motto of US politicians seems to be ‘YOU DARE NOT SCREW WITH AMERICAN PEOPLE!…..ITS OUR PROPERTY AND IF ANYONE TAPS THAT ASS ITS US!’….lol
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Obama must share a sweet lassi with SRK at the White House, smoke the peace pipe (they both smoke anyway) and bury the hatchet by watching Om Shanti Om.
Nothing less will satisfy the SRK thugs oops fans.
Well said! I love the fact that you call spade a spade….and refer to sanjay dutt as the criminal….especially since majority in my own country just loves to suck his ass….they even gave him an award named after Mahatma Gandhi after his role in Munnabhai…lol. But enough about persecution of muslims in India…..you live a country where not too long ago you would be drinking water from a separate tap and going to a separate school (down south esp)…..so have lil perspective.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
1. You write: you…refer to sanjay dutt as the criminal….especially since majority in my own country just loves to suck his ass….they even gave him an award named after Mahatma Gandhi after his role in Munnabhai
Travesty of travesties.
2. You write: you live a country where not too long ago you would be drinking water from a separate tap and going to a separate school (down south esp)…..so have lil perspective.
No, we’ve never denied that racism or any form of discrimination is absent here. Au contraire, it’s alive and kicking.
Blacks, Browns and Hispanics experience it all the time.
We’re most certainly not living in a post-racial utopia in the U.S.
Offtopic: One of our relatives used to say that when he was very young and growing up in pre-independence India the train stations used to have benches marked For Europeans, For Anglo-Indians and For Indians.
SI , see this http://sify.com/movies/bollywood/fullstory.php?id=14905496
SearchIndia.com Responds:
What was a tempest in a teapot turned into a tornado.
Point taken. And that’s the unfortunate part….the whole thing happened not despite his fame…but because the officer concerned wasnt aware of it…if he knew the guy being questioned features on the time magazine’s top 100 most influential people’s list, he would have let him go…..cuz even in US famous and influential people get treated differently all the time.
Morale of the story : As everyone who has lived in US for a good amount of time will vouch, the police are F**ing stupid!…and thats exactly what this incident is….NOT OUT OF LINE…..JUST F**ing STUPID! esp since they could have ascertained his identity in no time. But since i hate shahrukh…and his so called ‘work’…i loved it!… 🙂 )
SearchIndia.com Responds:
You Write above: cuz even in US famous and influential people get treated differently all the time
Bill Clinton lost his law license.
Mel Gibson was pulled over for drunk driving.
Dick Cheney’s aide Scooter Libby got into big trouble.
George W. Bush’s daughters got into trouble for illegally buying liquor.
Brittney Spears got into trouble…Michael Jackson got into trouble…
Well, these are not famous people and they are probably living in Indonesia.
*****
Now, let’s look at the treatment of Salman Khan and Sanjay Dutt over their criminal cases.
Drat, just can’t remember what country these two live in?
Got into trouble???…lol….boo fu**ing hoo!! wat are we in high school??…..you crack me up brother! and yeah…cheney and Bush never got away with anything…hahahahahahahahahaha
They wont buy that shit even in Indonesia…lol
List a couple of DUIs my friend??…Lets look at the CEOs of the busted banks shall we?..you know what….may be they also ‘got into trouble’ for some time didnt they?….
hahahahahah
Salman and Sanjay both didnt ‘get into trouble’ rainman..their ass was in Jail!..I think celebrities are treated differently in India too…but is it any different in US?? i got two words for you man…O J! He had to commit a crime on tape for the stupid Americans to finally send him where he belongs…
would you like fries with your words??….LMAO!
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Where ignorance is bliss tis’ folly to be wise.
Let’s see – a sloshed Bollywood star allegedly drives over Mumbai pavement dwellers killing some, maiming some and WTF happens – Nothing.
Let’s see – a former drug addict Bollywood star is linked to a major terrorist crime that kills hundreds in Mumbai. WTF happens? A slap on the wrist.
True that none of the Wall Street CEOs have been indicted over the collapse but Enron CEO Jeff Skilling & Worldcom CEO Bernie Ebbers were put away for a long time.
one of my co-workers saw Sean Penn jostled at the SFO airport, it seems.. Sean Penn is arguably a bigger name than SRK, isn’t he. This was in 2005, after he won the Oscar for Mystic River.. I suspect that they do some arrogant-prick-profiling at the airports.. “My Name is Khan” could have been a trigger for the SRK treatment.. we never know.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
You write: I suspect that they do some arrogant-prick-profiling at the airports.
We once read a sociology book – Weapons of the Weak.
Interesting book. Explains how the weaker members of society sometimes behave toward the powerful
did u just block my retort?….lol
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Are you a complete retard. No, don’t answer that. It was a rhetorical question.
As you can see (if only you could), comments on the SI blog are read by a human (debatable, according to some of our readers) and then processed.
Your comment was processed in full with our response. Please see the second comment above this one for your previous comment.
mmm..Lets see…. Former Drug Addict….killed hundreds of his own…..sounds like ur stupid president to me…
Who said anything about Indian law enforcement anyway?
But pleease…dnt wet dream thinking about ur own system….
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Obviously, sanctity of facts is an alien concept to you.
We can’t recollect any of presidents being a drug addict.
Sure, Bush had a drinking problem in his youth while Obama has acknowledged smoking cocaine once or twice.
Stupid, sure. We’ve had many.
Joe Anthony : a Islamic researched called zakir naik was detained for carrying a book about islam.
Sorry boss …can’t help commenting on this ….Zakir Naik is not a researcher ….but a hardcore fundamentalist ….who is a staunch supporter of Islamic laws as prevalent in Saudi Arabia and wants others to adopt it ….he is a popular figure who appears in documentaries alongside other good Islamic Researchers like Osama, CAIR etc
the point here is people are going haywire ….stop people if you suspect something …but its done with even those who are not even remotely connected …Kamal Hasan ….PV Narishma Rao, George Fernandes, Kirti Azad etc …as I had pointed out earlier …
Yesterday Julio Riberio (a Jew) former top cop said in a TV programme …that he also had a similar experience …so there in lies the problem ….
SearchIndia.com Responds:
We advocate uniform frisking and biometric techniques everywhere.
That way, the next SRK can’t whine about he was humiliated, blah blah blah.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_W._Bush_substance_abuse_controversy
have a look…but just like bush..u seem to more about the GUT than ‘facts’…lol
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Trying drugs is not the same as being a drug addict like Sanjay Dutt once was.
Gosh, we’d guess 40% of Americans including yours truly must have tried drugs at one time or the other. Some of our presidents even famously claimed that they smoked but did not inhale. That doesn’t make us current or former drug addicts.
We did acknowledge Bush’s alcohol issue earlier.
Time to stop the bosh.
So fickle!
http://www.bollywood.ac/2009/08/19/the-muslim-community-dings-salman-khan
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Damned if you do (from some), damned if you don’t (from others).
India is a hard country to live in.
So, SI – this post of yours is a mega hit with unbeatable 62 comments.. 😉
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Not that big a hit.
For instance, Dasvatharam got 253 comments, Vijay’s Villu had 123, Ajith’s Billa received 109 et al.
Those are all film reviews. SI usually have a good reader base for reviews.
In fact, I first visited SI after the villu Nightmare, to read it and see how you have written.
[After some people saw me reading SI regularly, they also got acquainted with SI and now remain silent readers]
But this is one is for a general topic.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
1. True but SRK is also a filmi figure..
2. You write: After some people saw me reading SI regularly, they also got acquainted with SI and now remain silent readers
Thanks.
this seems to be more accurate info than any that’s been reported so far:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/news/world/us/Heat-on-SRK-was-because-of-scanner-on-Bollywood-shows/articleshow/4916759.cms
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Interesting piece. Read it yesterday.
Looks like a leak from the American Embassy to counter the negative publicity.
“Looks like a leak from the American Embassy to counter the negative publicity.”
Imho, most likely it’s pretty true, whatever the source. I base that on what I’ve seen with American “connected” guys I had to encounter in a past job. The dynamics of how the tour promoters operate, and what they do with money resources and risks, are similar to that. Also, the way US Customs went about pressuring a well-known person who is only peripheral to the situation is very much the way US investigative guys often work, when they’re dealing with corruption that has off-shore aspects. These things make the story feel authentic, to me. Maybe I’m wrong. But if you asked me to bet on it being real, I would.
Have a great weekend.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
1. You write: The dynamics of how the tour promoters operate, and what they do with money resources and risks,
Why stop at tour/event promoters.
There’s been much talk of Bollywood itself being funded in part by the underworld. Wouldn’t surprise us given the lack of an organized funding channel until recently and the plentiful supply of ‘Black Money’ in India.
BTW, New Yorker had a lengthy piece on the tour/event promotion business a few weeks back in the Print Edition. We’ll see if we can get an online link to the story later.
2. The interesting thing about the U.S. is the larger-than-life image, the myth the country has generated about itself, a lot of it unwarranted.
Except for Hollywood, mediocrity reigns supreme in a lot of spheres including at our defense and intelligence agencies.
3. You write: Have a great weekend.
🙂 You too.
http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/wed-august-19-2009/shah-rukh-khan-detained-at-newark
usa makes fun of srk………
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Nice one.
SI reader rpsfyn put up the above link earlier today on the Inglourious Basterds post.
I’m not a politician, but who cares if a bunch of neo-talibanits (gujju muslims) get a karmic reaction to aurangzeb’s (aka kali chela #1) regime?
It just sounds silly that when a “hindu mob” kills a bunch of muslims, god forbid a war would break out,there seems to be an international crisis,but when mahamad(crap be upon him) destroyed the pagan arab’s idols and reconsecrated the kaaba in the name of “allah”(who happened to be the very god the pagan arabs worshiped) no one in the universe gives a fat frogs @$$????