US APOLOGISES AFTER SHAH RUKH KHAN'S AIRPORT HASSLE
WASHINGTON, U.S.A. - The United States on Friday apologised and denied charges of racial profiling after Indian film superstar Shah Rukh Khan said he was held by authorities after jetting in on a private plane.India lodged a diplomatic complaint after Khan said he was detained for more than 90 minutes on Thursday evening after he landed at New York's small White Plains airport on his way to deliver a speech at Yale University.
"We have obviously the utmost respect for Mr Khan and his work, both as an artist and a humanitarian," State Department spokesman Mark Toner told reporters, echoing an apology by the US embassy in New Delhi.- "We offer our apologies for any discomfort or inconvenience he may have suffered as a result of this incident," he said.
SHAH RUKH KHAN U.S. DETENTION PROMPT OUTRAGE IN INDIA
Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan said he felt angry and humiliated after he was detained and questioned at a US airport, sparking an uproar in India among his fans.
- Khan, 43, one of India's best known actors, was en route to Chicago for a parade to mark the Indian Independence Day on Saturday when he was pulled aside at Newark airport on Friday, he said.
- After a couple of hours' interrogation, he was allowed to make a call, he said, and he got in touch with the Indian consulate who vouched for him and secured his release.
- "Absolutely uncalled for, I think. I felt angry and humiliated," said Khan, who had just finished a month-long shoot in the US for his upcoming film My Name is Khan, which is about a Muslim man's experience with racial profiling.
- India reacted with outrage on Sunday, while Indian newspapers railed against the questioning of the Bollywood superstar.
- "My name is Khan? Too bad. SRK (Shah Rukh Khan) feels the heat of American paranoia" said The Times of India, quoting Khan as saying he felt "angry and humiliated."
- Khan later downplayed the incident. "I think it's a procedure that needs to be followed, but an unfortunate procedure," he told reporters Saturday in Chicago.
- US customs officials said Khan was questioned as part of a routine process that took 66 minutes.
- Fellow Indian film stars and political leaders condemned what they called "humiliating" treatment given to Khan, a Muslim who is well-loved in a largely Hindu country.
- A US consul official in India told a television channel they were inquiring into the matter of Shah Rukh's detenion.
- As news of Khan's detention broke on Indian television channels, which have played up attacks in Australia on Indian students, fans and actors began posting angry comments on the internet.
- The federal information minister, Ambika Soni, angrily suggested that India adopt a similar policy toward Americans travelling to India.
Source: The World
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