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India has reacted sharply to Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan's questioning by US airport immigration authorities.—Reuters Photo
NEW DELHI: India has reacted sharply to Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan's questioning by US airport immigration authorities, saying “detention and apology” have become a US habit.
India lodged a diplomatic complaint after Khan said he was detained for over 90 minutes on Thursday when he landed at New York's small White Plains airport on his way to deliver a speech at Yale University.
“More than an apology will have to take place,” Minister of State for External Affairs Preneet Kaur was quoted as saying in New Delhi by the semi-official Press Trust of India on Saturday.
The United States has apologised and denied allegations that Khan was singled out because of his Muslim name after the star jetted in on a private plane.
Other passengers on the flight were cleared but Khan was only allowed to proceed after the Indian Consulate intervened.
Khan was also detained for more than two hours in 2009 at Newark airport outside New York, sparking a similar Indian outcry and a US apology.
“Detention and apology” have become a habit with the United States and cannot continue, External Affairs Minister S M Krishna said in Moscow, the Press Trust of India reported.
“A repeated problem for the same person followed by clearance on account of (Indian) consulate intervention and a mechanical apology is not adequate,” the news agency quoted Krishna, who was in Moscow for official talks.
The 46-year-old actor, one of the most popular stars of the nation's prolific Bollywood industry, made his way to Yale after his latest incident and said he was used to such hassles at US airports.
“Yes, it always happens... Whenever I start feeling arrogant about myself, I always take a trip to America,” he joked with students. “The immigration guys kick the star out of stardom.”
Khan's questioning at the US airport was front-page news in India in Saturday's newspapers.
“India protests Shah Rukh Khan's detention in US,” said the Hindustan Times in a headline.
“Khanned again,” said the tabloid Mail Today.
Last November, the United States apologised to former Indian president Abdul Kalam after the New Delhi government complained he had been frisked at a New York airport.
India is sensitive about its VIPs undergoing security checks.
Kalam, 80, is a Muslim who served as a popular president of India from 2002-07. He was previously the country's chief military scientist.
A similar diplomatic incident erupted in 2009 when Kalam was questioned in New Delhi before boarding a flight to the United States.
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Comments (58) Closed
Apr 16, 2012 03:00am
well, I dont know which country you were originally from, before you immigrated to the USA. however, if your country or birth happens to be a muslim majority country. then please look at the plight of minorities there. They are not frisked, they are fished out of the world.
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Apr 16, 2012 07:28pm
by the same logic pak should have killed 28 us soldiers...........grow up realise US is the sole super power........it might be in economic crisis but is still well ahead of other countries.....this tarzan attitude doesnot work.....us india relations should be above this retroic.....
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Apr 16, 2012 11:24am
his name came up on the list and he was questioned a bit. whats wrong with that? just because he is SRK, he gets a free pass???
i know life is hard for him in Mumbai (sic).
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Apr 16, 2012 11:23am
Well, there was a report in the papers yesterday about how the name Shah Rukh Khan has been used as an alias by known terrorist Riyaz Bhatkal of the so-called Indian Mujahideen, accused in the 2008 Ahmedabad serial blasts. So it shouldn't be surprising that SRK gets pulled up by US homeland security officials every time.
For a sense of perspective, CNN reporter Drew Griffin was put on TSA's no-fly list after reporting negatively on the TSA. He had to face repeated harassment at airports till his case was taken up by a lawmaker.
A simple search on the internet, you will find multiple accounts of perfectly innocent people, US citizens, who are fighting the no-fly system in the US which forces them to go through the same humiliation every time they have to take a flight. All because their name is the same as, or similar to, known terrorists.
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Apr 16, 2012 11:17am
that's why Indian Muslims are not entitled to be the top official of armed forces, that's why there is no Muslim PM, and lately even the so called Muslims stars are not allowed to buy a property in Mumbai so called high profiled residential areas.. (Imran Hashmi episode).. Shantanu, please give me break for protecting India on the name of secularism..
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Apr 16, 2012 11:55am
If the US authorities still cant make out as to who "this" Shah Rukh Khan is .....then frankly its laughable.Security concerns are fine but come on ...again and again a case of mistaken identity or name match then its pure a case of pure high handedness.
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Apr 16, 2012 01:52am
Yes fit for tat. I was thinking in the same way.
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Apr 16, 2012 04:53am
my name is khan and i"m not a terrorist
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Apr 16, 2012 11:11am
Naveed absolutely correct. Just look at Times of India's comments by readers on this story and you will see what Naveed is saying.
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Apr 16, 2012 10:54am
According to media news The US has apologized to Indian Consulate over actor Shah Rukh Khan's detention. Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan, who arrived in the US to visit the Yale University, was detained for over two hours at a New York airport. New York airport security detained Bollywood superstar and question several hour. This is not only example several Indian and Pakistani high ranking officials received same treatment at US airports. Former Indian External Affairs Minister S M Krishna, former Indian president Abul Kalam, US close ally on war on terror Pervaiz Mushrraf and his spokesmen Rashid Qureshi and Pakistan social icon Abdul Sattar Edhi also received humiliating checks at various airports in the US. Only years ago Pakistani military officers cancelled their trip after humiliation at US airport. One can easily imagine that in these circumstances what will be conditions of normal people who don’t have any popularity and relations like Bolywood star Shah Rukh Khan or other Indian and Pakistani top high ranking officials.
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Apr 14, 2012 07:45pm
even though i am against special treatment (a culture predominant in subcontinent),this is clear cut racial profiling,it has twice earlier happened to him and more importantly to Dr Kalam and should not be tolerated anymore.but our leaders instead of crying out loudly (as they did last time) for vote bank should be firm and polite and make a policy of giving similar treatment to high profile visitors from usa.
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Apr 16, 2012 12:19am
pakistan has a duely elected govt now that it is not run by generals. So you have to vote the current governmant. As simple as that. Wa Salaam.
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Apr 16, 2012 09:29am
Kamala Hasan, converetd himself to islam and renamed himself as Kamal Hasan
Such changes to Passport triggers doubts to the computer system
besides, around the same time, Kamal Hasan convereted, he became an aetheist from a Hindu belever but still worshipped islam
so, all this raised sever doubts for the US supercomputer
It should be known Kamal Hassan is somewhat mentally chalenged
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Apr 16, 2012 09:14am
Mr. Naveed, You have the temerity to speak in totally unfounded terms about India which is a secular state by character and also by practice. Just look around: Bollywood for instance: Besides Shah Rukh Khan, there are scores of Muslim Indian actors who have made it to the top. Indian Muslim consider themselves Indians first and later anything else. I don't see the relevance of your giving a communal colour to this debate about Shahrukh Khan. But also look at your own stable. You hardly have any minorities left in the country, let alone anyone holding any senior political position. India, in case you don't know, has had three Presidents (the highest office in the country) who were Muslims. The present vice president is, incidentally, also a Muslim. Besides being an eminent nuclear scientist, former President Kalam is also a well-read scholar on Hindu scriptures. I wonder how many people can do that in your "land of the pure". So please, Mr. Naveed and your ilk, stop this ugly habit of creating your own narratives about Indian Muslims being treated badly. Indians - and particularly Indian Muslims -- see through this old game. It does not work anymore. Instead, clean your own mess first and then preach to others.
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Apr 16, 2012 02:17pm
actually he should carry some CDs of the movie and give it complementary to the officials while he waits. :-D
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Apr 16, 2012 08:04am
It is not Muhammad, Ali, Khan, Chaudhry etc thing, it is US immigration officials' incompetence in general and incapabilty to work in stressed environment. They are scared to make a decision. To them every Muslim (or Pakistani) is a terrorist, unless proven otherwise. Contrarily there are rarely cases reported in whole Europe. I have personally experienced extremely professional and courteous immigration officials in various parts of the world which was never seen in my trips to USA, even holding Canadian passport.
Indian government and people should treat US celebrities like that a couple of times and apologise later. Maybe the message passes over to ther side.
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Apr 16, 2012 04:34pm
As long as there are citizens like you with honour and honesty, there is hope for Pakistan. I wish you well and I am an Indian
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Apr 16, 2012 06:18am
That's what he did and hence, the delay! I am a khan too but I have never been made to wait during may last few visits.
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Apr 16, 2012 04:09pm
Perfect analysis of our leaders.In fact no need to analyze that,even ablind person can say Pakistani leaders are corrupt. I am a Pakistani but I am ashamed of them. India can face the world, its strong it backs its own people. What is true is true lets face it.
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Apr 16, 2012 03:52pm
"You may be a celebrity in India but you are subject to the same scrutiny as the rest of us."
I and SRK would be agree strongly with you on your statement, But this what that poor man is yelling the same like you, as his fellow people (owner of planer etc) who were on the same flight and landed with thim at the same time, but strangely they got cleared in minutes and were to wait for him two hours...It is what would hurt me the same as a dicrepence...Remember he has not SO MUCH upset before, but this time it occured to him that why this normal checks time was not carried out with their companious, so clear discrimination as to our understanding...
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Apr 14, 2012 07:44pm
well shahrukh khan replied in a way that suits his stardom... india will definitely make u.s officials apologize for that
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Apr 14, 2012 07:46pm
in another perspective its a good thing to see that its not only pakistanis who are the targets of u.s officials..
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Apr 14, 2012 08:23pm
Life is hard on a big Bollywood star's ego.
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Apr 14, 2012 08:32pm
A big part of the problem with airport security burecrats is the name Khan.
They have too many Khan's to watch out for on the Homeland Security computer without a way to differentiate from the innocent traveleres. Even a ten year old with the name of Khan could be refused entry. Low level military and Homeland Security don't think. They just want to follow the rules so as not to make a mistake. They once detained three NBA basketball players from Eastern Europe as suspected terrorists.
My son was detained for two hours in Miami because he has a webhosting company called Mecca Hosting. He has done computer work for the FBI and the US Air Force. It doesn't matter. If anyone's name comes up on the computer they are detained and questioned.
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Apr 15, 2012 07:20pm
imran khan never had a problem while entering usa i think my name is khan and iam not a terrorist is the reason.
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Apr 16, 2012 01:02pm
SRK is the reigning movie idol of a country with billion plus population (consumers)and this country is a crucial business partner of USA. What would be the situation if irritated Indians start mobbing US corporations in India or boycott US products for a few weeks? The security personnel at the US airport are a bunch of ignorant who should be disciplined accordingly.
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Apr 16, 2012 01:56pm
Thanks to Govt of India for supporting there citizens.
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Apr 14, 2012 09:24pm
In what way is SRK special? People down south do not even know he exists like Pakistanis do. Southern superstar Kamal Hassan also was stopped once in US just like SRK but he went through the process in a dignified manner. Same about our ex-pres Abdul Kalam. The news came out only after SRK was detained. Kamal never made a fuss like SRK does. So what can you do about those with green passport singled out in many international airports and thoroughly checked and humiliated before other nationalities? If you flash your green passport, even your currency is not accepted readily. Rules are rules for everyone. The americans are entitled to check the credentials of anyone entering their terrain for the sake of their national security. If SRK had had any shame he would have stayed away from US as he vowed once.
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Apr 14, 2012 09:41pm
I am Pathan "Khan" living right under the Durand Line in Bajaur Agency FATA, just think what will be my situation when i go to USA. This is the vulnerability syndrome of US against Khans, though everybody know there was no Pakistani or Khan in the persons hijacked planes and crashed to WTC
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Apr 15, 2012 09:34pm
The world should unite and speak out against such treatment metted out to various and numerous individuals. I mother (wearing a hijab) at the airport in New York was told to put her hand over her son's mouth (he was no older than 5 years), because he had coughed. I think in this case the child was previously crying from hunger (due to immigration delay of upto about 3 hours) and as result had began to cough. No humanitarian food was offered....if I can recall correctly the official had made a reference to strangling the child because his coughs would spread germs!
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Apr 14, 2012 10:03pm
Another example of how insecure US feels. May be the entire US should move to Mars or some other planet where it "might" feel safe. The US culture is reflective of how "ignorance" has its spillover effects on others.
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Apr 15, 2012 06:56pm
What makes SRK special? In USA, security check non-muslims too. What's big deal if he was frisked for 60-70 minutes? Give a break guys, let security work their job. It is for the security of innocent citizens.
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Apr 15, 2012 12:25am
I have been told the man owes Federal income tax to the US government for doing several shows and paid speaking tours in the United Sates -- his name may be for years on every IRS computer at all airports. Instead of calling Dr. Manmohan Singh every time he gets in troublwe at the airport his handlers should straighten out his tax matters with the IRS.
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Apr 15, 2012 06:24pm
WELL SAID MR. SYED HAQ.THE SECURITY OFFICER DOES NOT KNOW WHO IS SRK. HE IS DOING HIS JOB. HAS IT EVER OCCURED TO ANY ONE WHY IT HAPPENED AND LET US FIND OUT ?.PEOPLE MAKE A BIG DEAL OUT OF SMALL IRRELEVANT THINGS.MY LAST NAME IS AMIN. I AM PROUD OF IT.
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Apr 15, 2012 01:14am
well at least they got an apology, Americans, even congressmen being groped, don't get apologies
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Apr 16, 2012 12:50pm
"...What’s big deal if he was frisked for 60-70 minutes?".....The big deal ist a normal low life US citizen traveling to any part of Asia will not be treated the same way....and if we have the luck that he/ she is...then the US will create a scene of exaggeration that would be unmatched! THIS IS THE BIG DEAL!
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Apr 15, 2012 01:35am
What an ignorant thing to say Dr. Abdy!! Any form of racial profiling should be unacceptable.. be it color, religion, race, ethnicity whatever!! Its not us Pakistanis only, its a decent portion of the muslim world that is normally interrogated!!
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Apr 15, 2012 01:51am
no need for that we donot know why they did it but yes they are arrogant you know what but so is khan
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Apr 15, 2012 06:36pm
It is too much my friend. SRK has more fan in Hindu community then Muslim. I am Hindu and love our Indian Muslim Heros we are equally offended by us action when they detain search Abdul kalam.
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Apr 15, 2012 06:47pm
Shantanu, you are 100% right.
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Apr 15, 2012 02:42am
I think India should just stay quiet and NOT ask for an apology, the best way to sort this matter out is to do the same with the American stars and politicians and then may be they will UNDERSTAND. Irfan UK
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Apr 15, 2012 02:56am
I am positive that a vast majority of Hindu Indians were pleased at SRK's humiliation in USA. Why is USA doing it again and again? it is an unsaid, undocumented policy to humiliate and denigrate Muslims globally. Most Muslims in USA have faced such discrimination. Does it make me upset, of course it does. Does it make me ask for my rights with greater determination, yes, it does. I am more committed to demanding just and fair rights for me as a Muslim American and nothing less will suffice. It is a battle we have to face with determination and dignity that Islam has taught us.
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Apr 15, 2012 10:34pm
What US is doing is 100% right to protect their country from 97% religious fanatics.
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Apr 15, 2012 05:21pm
Please do not make surmises on behalf of Indian Hindus- India is a Secular country where all religions are respected and every individual irrespective of cast or creed is given equal opportunites
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Apr 15, 2012 01:38pm
Sharuk Khan may be s star in Bollywood which does not automatically entitle him to by-pass US terror prevention protocols. While I strongly condemn the frisking of our former President Dr Kalam, I support the strict US security measures which has prevented the recurrence of terror on their soil.
The Indian protest is pandering to vote bank politics.
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Apr 15, 2012 05:22am
Well they stopped him not because of his nationality but his religion..
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Apr 15, 2012 05:28am
Take it easy guys and leave your arrogance at the Indian shore. US is an equal opportunity offender and does not discriminate between Indian muslims ,hindus or Sikhs. Last year India's lady ambassador was physically searched and groped by the customs . India's UN ambassador had to remove his turban at JFK ( or at O'Hara in Chicago). And Jainul Abidin Kalam, the former Indian President was also frisked at one time by the immigartion people. For US immigration authorities, Indian officials or " dignitaries" don't count when they come here.
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Apr 15, 2012 05:38am
Being an South Asian looking guy who frequently gets pulled aside for "random" explosives check in Australia, can be annoying. But honestly guys I would rather put up with this than actually have to go through a bomb explosion (I am sure you agree). I value my safety more than my slight inconvenience. Yes it is unfortunate about Dr Abdul Kalaam, I genuinely respect him from the bottom of my heart but everyone else is fair game. SRK- You may be a celebrity in India but you are subject to the same scrutiny as the rest of us. Those who claim racial profiling, lets just get back to the real world, look up last 20 years and find the origins of the most terrorist bombing in the world. Please do not mis understand me, I have some of the best friends who are muslims and I have respect for all religions, but how exactly do you come up with a better security solution? Unless any of you critics have a solution please understand they have a right to protect themselves, you are entering their country, they have not stopped you from enforcing your own security measures, so why do you?
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Apr 15, 2012 05:47am
You only pay tax in the US if you reside there for more than 183 days. "You have been told" !!! I'd suggest that you stop believing everything that you're told.
Not a big of Govt intervention in matters like this, but if the Americans want to deal with Asia, they better start understanding our cultural sensitivities and behave accordingly...
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Apr 15, 2012 10:59pm
I guess you are falling into the same hole as the Americans when you judge us based on your prejudice. Didn’t you notice that we registered a strong protest with the US? In India, it doesn’t matter whether you are a hindu or muslim. SRK has more Hindu fans swooning over him. His first big break was given by Yash Chopra and Karan Johar is his close friend who literally directs only him every time. There are incidents of Muslim bashing but then there are also incidents of Hindu bashing. These are the pains involved in a large secular country – not everyone thinks alike.
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Apr 15, 2012 03:36pm
Let's examine the facts. SRK is a well known international figure. There is no public record of him dallying with terrorists/fundamentalists in any way. He was detained by the immigration officials on earlier occasions as well and was let go due to indian consulate's intervention. From what we know so far, his only sin is that his name is 'shah rukh khan' -- and this supposedly matches the name of some terrorist somewhere. At a minimum it looks like the immigration officials are very inefficient and ignorant. They are wasting Mr. Khan's time and the US tax payers' money in such repeated needless episodes. The first time, it happened was understandable but why again and again for the same person? Don't they have a simple database to prevent such things. Thus, I do not understand what there is to "support" or "praise" or "appreciate" here. This is sheer inefficiency/foolishness.
Lastly, for a moment, imagine that some one suspects you of being a terrorist repeatedly just because your name happens to be "Eswaran". It is not funny at all. I hope you are aware that there are a LOT of senseless in the USA as well.
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Apr 15, 2012 06:42am
" “Yes, it always happens… Whenever I start feeling arrogant about myself, I always take a trip to America,” he joked with students. “The immigration guys kick the star out of stardom.”He is cool and retains his sense of humor even in high pressure situations coming out dignified that is why i love you SRK
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Apr 15, 2012 07:11am
He should have said to the US security officials, "My name is Khan and I am not a terrorist".
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Apr 15, 2012 12:26pm
AGREE WITH YA!!
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Apr 15, 2012 08:15am
Khan, Muhammad, choudhry, Ahmed, Ali are just few of the names that automatically flag US Immigration & custom computer and they are forced to send them for extra questioning. The arrogance of US immigration is appalling, they act like little God on the earth. There is 40% chance they will stop you if you are Muslim or from a Muslim nation. Muslims from United states needs to write their congressmen about this issue.
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Apr 15, 2012 08:52am
Oh yes! Apology is good, but only the first time. Indian ambassador was pulled out of the line at the airport, why? because she was wearing a sari. Dr. Kalam, despite having the entitlement of protocol, had a strip search. It is a pattern of attitude. The mechanical sorry follows the events.
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Apr 15, 2012 09:27am
as a Pakistani, I respect Indian Govt, at least they back their citizen.
in Pakistan, the government is such a BIG BEGGAR! They will have exchange $$$ for drone on their citizens, and hand over anyone for $$$$.
Pakistanis failed parties are beggars
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Apr 15, 2012 10:08am
This is not going to happen. Simply because it is politically not in the interest of India.
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