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The US Friday apologised to Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan for "an inconvenience" experienced by him at the White Plains airport in New York while on a visit.
Khan was in the US on the invitation of the Yale University, which honoured him. But before reaching Yale, Khan was detained for one-and-half hours at White Plains for secondary security checks by the US Customs and Border Patrol agency.
The US embassy here issued a statement Friday evening apologising for the incident.
"Please allow me on behalf of our diplomatic mission in India to apologize if Mr. Shah Rukh Khan experienced an inconvenience or delay yesterday in White Plains, New York, on his way to Yale University," the US embassy spokesperson, Peter Vrooman, told reporters here.
He also explained how Americans are "great fans" of Indian movies and in particular "respect the work of the great actor, Shah Rukh Khan," who is fondly referred to as SRK by his fans and the media.
"My own daughter always asks to see SRK's 'Chammak Challo' video song. I am thrilled he was recognised by Yale University yesterday (Thursday) as a Chubb Fellow," Vrooman said.
But, the US spokesperson also attempted to clear the air over the security procedures adopted by the American customs and border patrol agency.
Khan has previously too suffered such embarrassment at the hands of the US agency during his earlier visits.
Vrooman noted that the US customs and patrol border agency is tasked with protecting the American borders.
Most international travellers enter the US via international airports, but authorities also facilitate travel to domestic airports, like White Plains, he said.
"My message today is to broaden understanding about the Department of Homeland Security's efforts to put in place systems that can help address circumstances faced by Khan or any other traveller. It is called the Traveller Redress Inquiry Program.
"If you or anyone you know have been selected for secondary screening on multiple occasions you can use the Department of Homeland Security Traveller Redress Inquiry Program (DHS TRIP) to resolve issues such as misidentification," he added.
DHS TRIP is a single point of contact for individuals who have inquiries or seek resolution of difficulties they experienced during their travel screening at transportation hubs.
"People who have experienced difficulties upon entry into or exit from the US at a port of entry or border crossing can file an inquiry to seek redress. DHS TRIP routes your redress request to the appropriate office for review and adjudication," Vrooman said, giving the access for the system as the website www.dhs.gov/trip.
"Once again, let me stress that we strive to welcome all legitimate travellers to the US warmly, and we apologize for any inconvenience that Shah Rukh Khan may have experienced," he added, noting that this was an "important initiative to resolve travel-related issues."
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US Officials were only doing their job. its not about racisim or any Khan issue. its for the safety of America. Sharrukh does not put paypackets in customs officials pockets. its the US who pays them. workers whould be loyal to their govt and not SRK.
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well not everytime darling.....when you stop some VIP everytime then its shady....so stop preaching what is fair n not because here the US govt is at fault....
Fri, 2012-04-13 12:56 — Anonymous
that very bad .. how US treat muslims very badly
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there r instances BUT If thats the case then Muslims would have left US all together or even if they send back all muslim,Is our country in a position to question it? NO !!!
If u stand by the safety of That or any country ,we will empathise wid the security procedure.But if we think they deserve it ,then only U R ur best punishment!!!!
let people do their job. whether it is the grate(SIC on purpose) Srk or janata like me, it should be fine. A little inconvenience for the country's safety from terrorism is a small price to pay. Shame on US to have to pander to the religious bullies, and that does not include anyone from any particular religion. Bullies and blackmail should be blacklisted. Shut up SRK! Just mind your job of fooling the world with your looks and talent. Not impressed with this action even if I liked you earlier.
@Fri, 2012-04-13 13:39 — Anonymous
"sorry but Muslims have created this menace."
I am more offended by you than the people who detained SRK. People like you create racism. As for what they put SRK through, why make a big deal. Its a security check. If you have nothing to be worried about, they will eventually let you go. Although I know many people from my country with the same last name who keep on traveling back and forth from US and not one of them have ever been detained.
US Officials were only doing their job. its not about racisim or any Khan issue. its for the safety of America. Sharrukh does not put paypackets in customs officials pockets. its the US who pays them. workers whould be loyal to their govt and not SRK.
plain racist and rude.
In response to anon who said they target Muslims..I don't think it's really about Muslims. Don't get me wrong, but I think they usually choose people of South Asian or Arab origin for 'random security checks'. lol. I lived in Canada all my life, but my parents still hold Indian passports, and when they see an Indian passport, they stop them, go over their passports like a million times etc. We're not Muslims, but you know, we're South Asians. My parents say they don't really mind thought because all the security measures they're taking are for our own safety..My Arab friend too, she is a Canadian citizen, but her last name apparently is similar to some wanted Arab guy. They called her out for a random check, kept asking her is she has been near explosives or gunpowder in the last few hours, put some weird substance on her palms are actually tested for gunpowder :S She kept asking them what its for and they kept saying it was just a random routine check.
I have to agree some airport officials are BEYOND RUDE though. Especially at heathrow. Most of their staff are brown people and you have to see way they talk to other brown people. Crazy rude.
Also, our experience in smaller countries like Cyprus has been really really bad though. You don't see any coloured people at the airport, and they literally asked us to leave the line and made us go to this other area and kept rubbing the visas on my parents' passport to see if it was fake :S
Thank you
I agree...surname khan means red alert in USA....bound to happen because of few Muslims rest are suffering...
SHAME ON YOU DONOT YOU KNOW WHO IS HE ???????????
BRAD PITT OF INDIA.
GORGE CLOONY OF NEW DELHI
WILL SMITH OF BOLLYWOOD.
LADY GAGA OF BOMBAY
MICHEAL JAKSON OF LALA LAND
I CAN CONTINUE UNTIL TOMORROW.......
SHAME ON YOU DONOT YOU KNOW WHO IS HE ???????????
BRAD PITT OF INDIA.
GORGE CLOONY OF NEW DELHI
WILL SMITH OF BOLLYWOOD.
LADY GAGA OF BOMBAY
MICHEAL JAKSON OF LALA LAND
I CAN CONTINUE UNTIL TOMORROW
Now even Americans know who SRK is! He said he's a great fan of his movies and his daughter likes his song chammak challo! Now, I'm wondering which country doesn't know him?? He's the world's biggest superstar!!!!!!!!! Proud of him and to be his fan.
sorry but Muslims have created this menace.
See SRK that's that punishment you are getting for cheating on your wife. We will hear the same about PRIYANKA CHOPRA soon. They were playing with us and they are being played.
that very bad .. how US treat muslims very badly