update 3
Bollywood Icon Shahrukh was detained at US airport by immigration official after a similar name "khan" popped on their screen as a threat. There were other immigration officers, who even vouched for SRK but that particular adamant officer, did not listen to anyone. What was dubbed as 15-20 minutes procedural process took some 2 hours. And that lasted only when Indian Embassy had to intervene. SRK was refused earlier to use his phone and only after much deliberation, he was allowed to make a call. And one of those call was to MP Rajiv Shukla who informed Indian Embassy at New York.
This kind of incidents had happened in the past too with celebs like Aamir Khan, Irfan Khan etc. However being SRK is not a simple ball game, and when this happened with SRK -it had made one lapse into diplomatic row.
MEA & Indian Consulate raise a formal complaints. US Envoy to India forced to issue statement.
However the incident had taken a different turn now with MEA(Ministry Of External Affairs-Indian Govt) asking US Embassy to clarify over the incident. U.S. Ambassador to India, Timothy J. Roemer, on Saturday said that he was looking into reasons for the detention of Bollywood superstar Shahrukh Khan at Newark International Airport.“We are trying to ascertain the facts of the case — to understand what took place,” said the Ambassador. “Shah Rukh Khan, the actor and global icon, is a very welcome guest in the United States. Many Americans love his films,” Ambassador Roemer added. Indian Consulate in NewYork too had sent a formal complaints and had asked for the reasons behind this behaviour.
Indian Parliament Members and diplomats reacts over the incident.
Racial profiling of SRK had upset lots of politicians too. Ambika Soni (Minister for I.B) had even asked for tit-for-tat with US citizens. Rajiv Shukla too came hard against such behaviour. Naresh Chandra, former ambassdor to US said "It is great incompetence and has lowered the image of (US) Homeland Security”. According to Naresh Chandra "the lowly official at airport should know the fact before exceeding their powers"
Bollywood and India stands around SRK over the incident
Karan Johar, Priyanka Chopra and Farah Khan too were vocal in criticizing the incident.
Karan Johar says "I am shocked and upset...feeling terrible for Shah Rukh."
Priyanka tweets at twitter. Quote“Shocking, disturbing and downright disgraceful. It’s such behavior that fuels hatred and racism. SRK’s a world figure for God’s sake. GET REAL!!” Unquote
Vishal dadlani (vishal-bhardwaj group) Quote “This is plain silly!! I mean, a quick internet search would tell them what they need to know about SRK!! Paranoia breeds stupidity, I guess!” Unquote
Kabir Khan: When I heard this news, I was so surprised...it has almost become a routine. If you have a Muslim name you are bound to be questioned. It happened with me thrice in the US. I was stopped by immigration officials for three to five hours... they don't care whether you are a celebrity or whoever. But when it comes to Shah Rukh, it doesn't take more than 20 seconds to figure out who he is. Any search engine on the Internet will give more information on him than Hollywood stars Tom Cruise or Brad Pitt and despite that if it took them two hours to figure out, then it's harassment. Post 9/11 it is prejudice to have a person's name and religion checked and it is very discouraging as well.
Pritish Nandy: This is the problem with law enforcers worldwide...Truly obnoxious. Cops don't want to recognise anybody. They love to show their power and authority, especially in the US.
Kunal Kohli: It's really disgusting. Even if they had done a Google search on their mobiles, they would have seen who he is. What were they checking for two hours on their super computers? To detain him for two hours is ridiculous, disgusting and an insult to us Indians. 
Arindam Chaudhari: Shah Rukh has just finished his film My Name Is Khan in which his character tries to prove to the Americans that he is not a terrorist. I'm sure he never thought it would happen in real life too...What a shame! It's shocking and shameful because I am sure Shah Rukh would have had to explain who he is. It's Shah Rukh so it's become big news. But there many who constantly go through this everyday. It's really sad.
Eesha Koppikhar: I am not sure of the exact events but if he was detained just because he is a Muslim with Khan as a last name, it is very wrong.
SRK's performs at Independence Day parade just after detention row. See the 2 pics.
SRK attended the Independence Day Parade after his detention row. The crowd rallied around him and just adored him (may be they should have invited immigration staff too. Shahrukh, though disturbed by the incident had played down the episode. As per him "we have to live in a world that we have created like this."
US media highlights the issue.
Various media posted headlines highlighting the issue."This never happened to Schwarzenegger," noted New York Daily News reporting how "Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, who plays a Muslim mistaken for a terrorist in his latest film, says he was racially profiled at Newark Airport and detained for two hours on Friday.""The 43-year-old 'Tom Cruise of India' - cited last year by Newsweek as one of the world's 50 most influential men - was released only after Indian diplomats intervened," it said describing him "as the international box office sensation" who has appeared in more than 70 films
tHB query to US immigration official:
1. What is the use of Mandatory US visa and compulsory related interviews? Do they believe that the US Embassy Officials are corrupt and issue Visa without checks?
Ed-i-Ch (tHB) pens: tHB TEAM is asked to be on war-footing over this issue and to keep the readers updated about any developments.
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