Standing Up for the Regular Khans

Sometimes I really believe that the Indian media has nothing better to make a big deal about. We have an out of control Swine Flu epidemic circling the country, a unending drought, pending answers from Pakistan regarding the 26/11 catastrophe and yet the biggest news that is making the rounds is Shah Rukh Khan being detained for two hours by US immigration. Goodness gracious! Okay so he was detained and? What is the big deal? Numerous, countless amounts of Muslims are stopped by the US immigration on a daily basis, and are subject to terrible amounts of questioning without any privileges and get no media coverage. But the minute a self-proclaimed superstar is detained, he is expected to receive special treatment! Why? The Indian Embassy is called, he is verified as being THE Shah Rukh Khan, comes out and claims he was "humiliated." Where is the Indian embassy when other innocent Indian's are detained for hours on end? It doesn't make news nor do they come forward to claim that clearly US immigration needs better guidelines as to when and who is stopped. So why now? Simply because he is a celebrity? Not acceptable. The same treatment should be extended to everyone who is detained.

Let's look at things objectively. Suppose another SRK was mistaken for the "superstar" and let go. Let's say he goes on to be a part of some catastrophe ala 9/11, then who gets blamed? The U.S. Immigration. And then would have no qualms in claiming that a) they haven't learnt and b) that the have a biased and laxed immigration system.

Perhaps if the media stood up for every detained Khan like they are are for SRK, then US immigration would realize that there is a serious problem with the way they view all Muslims and especially those with the last name Khan. The same goes for all the politicians who are insisting on a "tit for tat" correction and even those celebrities who feel the situation is "disgraceful" or advise US Immigration to "Google SRK." Correctly so Salman Khan went on to state that it is NOT a big deal. The immigration officers were just doing their job and ensuring that they do not have to deal with another situation the size, or bigger, of 9/11.

Is the situation racist? Yes. There is no denying that. But it is a problem nearly all Muslims are dealing with and not just solely SRK. And as I have repeatedly claimed, why do we not create such hoopla then? Why only now? Shouldn't SRK been the bigger man? The actor should in fact claim that he understood the situation and that the US immigration officers were just doing their job? In fact he should have been more sympathetic towards fellow Muslims who are detained instead of literally asking for exclusive treatment. PR agents claim, h doesn't need the "gimmicks" so then let it go SRK. Such is life and we should all get used to this idea; this is the social norm now. Post 9/11 and 26/11 this is how the world runs. In fact if anyone's name is flagged, I would like them to be detained -- including myself. We are primarily interested in the safety of the country -- not in playing some dignitary competition. It is really on in India where we take full advantage of this "VIP" stature so much so that it has become a culture. SRK may be a VIP in India but outside the country, he is just as simple as everyone else.

I stand up for all those Khans whose story has NOT been told by the media. For those who have been detained, bags searched, questioned for hours on end and have received no help; not from the Indian Embassy, not from any politicians and certainly not from any celebrities. Shah Rukh Khan or not, no Khan deserves this treatment.

6 comments:

Kapil Kanungo said...

read ur blog for da frst tym...agree in toto...gud wrk...

anamika said...

I completely agree with you...APJ abdul Kalam was also frisked but he made no fuzz about it.Neither did he gave interviews about the episode justifying his humiliation which he had to gr through.If you once attain fame doesn't make you free from the regular routine mandatory duties.

Siva said...

I agree with you, everyone has to go through the same procedure. Khan is no difference. There is nothing to be humiliated. They should start doing this for all the celebrities.

Renu said...

I think it was all publicity gimmick organised by SZRK , as his film is reeasing and its on the same topic. These celebrities can do anything to get publicity.

Ratish Naroor said...

Great Post Roshni .Hope the Media reads this post .

MOHAMMED FARHAN KHAN said...

nicely written ...
almost on every blog ..the case of SRK is mentioned ....he became overnite famous for this ...definitly contributes good publicity for his next venture 'my name is khan'.
i hav also writeen ...on this ...do go for it ...if hav a tym...

by the way ...first tym i visited ur blog ...liked it very much ...specially ur magazine issue...

keep writing

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