Are we on the verge of an international incident that could change U.S. relations with India?
By now you’ve probably heard, Muslim actor Shah Rukh Khan, the “Tom Cruise” of Bollywood was questioned for 90 minutes by customs agents at Newark Airport last Friday after his name appeared on a security checklist.
He says routine security procedures were not followed and he felt embarrassed and uncomfortable having to find a U.S. national to vouch for him.
Ironically, he was on his way to Chicago to promote his new movie “My Name is Kahn.” It’s takes a look at the discrimination Muslims has faced in the U.S. since 9/11.
Shortly after the airport incident, people in India were photographed burning the American flag.
Why so emotional? Even though he isn’t a household name in the U.S., he’s considered a “king” in India.
In 2008, Newsweek named him the world's biggest movie star and one of its 50 most influential people, ahead of Oprah Winfrey, the Dalai Lama and Osama bin Laden.
An Associated Press writer points out that Khan is from a country with a healthy VIP culture. But Khan says he wasn’t upset because he hadn't received special treatment.
He also denied that he was making a big deal out of the incident as a publicity stunt for his new movie.
The U.S. has every right to defend its borders, he added. But it might want to balance this against a desire to present a more open attitude toward people from around the world.
India's Foreign Ministry has promised to discuss the issue with U.S. officials. And the Information and Broadcasting Minister suggested that India should "return the compliment" when U.S. dignitaries next visit India.
Is this an overreaction? How would we as Americans feel if this had happened to Tom Cruise or Brad Pitt in India? Or should everyone just get a grip and get over it?
Comments (2)
I just would like to say welcome to my world. I'm black and grew up with 8 black brothers. I have seen the discrimination. Get over it. My people have been treated like this forever. Deal with it.
Posted by Ruby Johnson | September 2, 2009 9:27 AM
Posted on September 2, 2009 09:27
i think they should treat everybody the same its going to be more of that because the people have no money.
Posted by jutuan | August 25, 2009 10:48 AM
Posted on August 25, 2009 10:48