India protests detention of Shahrukh Khan
August 16th, 2009 - 12:34 am ICT by John Le Fevre
The Indian government has reacted angrily to the detention of Shahrukh Khan, one of it’s Bollywood superstars by US immigration officers.
Khan, one of the best known faces in India, was detained at Newark Airport in Newark, New Jersey on Saturday as he traveled to Chicago to celebrate India’s Independence day and claims he was only released after the Indian embassy in the United States intervened.
The 43-year-old actor, who has just finished filming a new movie, My Name is Khan, in the US, claims he was detained because he has a Muslim name.
“Certain countries have issues with my name. I am very proud of my name,” he said.
India’s External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vishnu Prakash said India has taken up the issue with the US embassy and the consul general of India in New York is in touch with Shahrukh.
Dubbed the “King of Bollywood”, Khan said he was questioned for two hours by immigration officials, and prevented from using his mobile phone to call for assistance.
US Ambassador to India, Timothy J. Roemer, said: “We are trying to ascertain the facts of the case - to understand what took place. He is a very welcome guest in the United States. Many Americans love his films.”
- Bollywood muslim actor Shahrukh Khan detained by US immigration - Aug 15, 2009
- `King Khan'says he is fine after Newark airport search - Aug 15, 2009
- US envoy says he is ascertaining facts about King Khan's detention - Aug 15, 2009
- SRK again detained at US airport, India tells US sorry won't do(Roundup) - Apr 13, 2012
- India asks US to avoid SRK-type incidents - Apr 14, 2012
- SRK's detention: Indian envoy asked to take up issue with US - Apr 13, 2012
- Shah Rukh Khan detained at New York airport (Lead) - Apr 13, 2012
- Shah Rukh Khan detained again at NYK airport(Second Lead) - Apr 13, 2012
- Bollywood icon SRK detained in US, send fans into a tizzy (Intro Roundup) - Aug 15, 2009
- It was nice, as it always happens, says Shah Rukh - Apr 13, 2012
- Shah Rukh 'My Name Is Khan' detained at US airport - over name (Roundup) - Aug 15, 2009
- SRK detained at Newark airport over 'Khan' name (Second Lead) - Aug 15, 2009
- MEA takes up Shahrukh detention issue with US Government - Aug 15, 2009
- No profiling or pattern in Shah Rukh detention, says US - Apr 14, 2012
- Incident was "absolutely uncalled for": Shahrukh - Aug 15, 2009
Tags: ambassador, bollywood, consul general of india, external affairs ministry, immigration officers, immigration officials, independence day, indian embassy, indian government, muslim name, newark airport, newark new jersey, prakash, protests, roemer, shahrukh khan, spokesperson, superstars, us embassy, vishnu