APJ Abdul Kalam's frisking episode was just dying and Sharukh's took birth. Whilst I am not agreeing that frisking should be banned, but in certain cases - India's ex-president for example, certain diplomatic protocol needs to be followed.
However, I fail to understand what this fuss was all about regarding Sharukh's episode and depending on the celebrity's stature in the industry, the media airtime varies! There was this Irfan Khan episode some months back as well about how he was detained and questioned in US but it didnt get much publicity - coz he is still a billu barber!
Are we as a nation suggesting that celebrities are like gods who have the right to surpass what is applicable to others? Or are we saying that they are way above all of us lesser mortals? Its just that if it was you and I, this wouldnt have been an episode. The reason - because you and I believe in rules laid down for our and everyone else's safety. There are millions of people who go abroad and face stringent security procedures per the country's laws. Is there anything wrong in ensuring the safety and security of a nation?
Why are we blaming others when the lacunae resides within us? Yes, I am talking about us - Indians. Our problem is that we treat celebrities as gods, but that does not mean that others too should. Think for a moment, would you allow a person who may be known to others in your family but unknown to you straight in your house? Would you not ask questions about his identity? Now critics may argue that it is not "someone", it was "Sharukh Khan". Well, lets do one thing, why dont we go and ask a CRPF constable manned at the our airport if he knew who "Brad Pitt" was!
Are we saying that just because he is a celebrity, he is away from what is applicable to a billion others?
The whole world knows what happenned on 9/11. So is being extra cautious about the safety and security about one's brethren being racist? Let's face it people, the cautious nature exists because it aint lives of just one or two people at stake but millions. America has seen it, experienced it and learnt it. Suffice to say that post 9/11, not a single cowardly incident has taken place on that soil.
Sane people call it being vigilant and following proccesses no matter who it is. Insane people term it as descrimination. I guess its high time we Indians grew up and act mature.
We dont even have a right to shout actually. What have we done to protect our countrymen? Every year there are numerous terrorist strikes the country.Hundreds die on the borders fighting insurgency. Have we learnt anything? Yes, we have! We have learnt how to be lackadaisical.
What is more appaling is the way in which media reacts. For them everything is breaking news! They are the ones who blow the trumpet when the security isnt tight and they blow it yet again, when the security is doing their job. What is it that they want? Thers is a lot beyong the TRPs folks!
I am not someone who is pro-US, but an Indian who feels that this insane, uneducated, how-dare-you-frisk-me attitude stop in the national and international interest of the larger population. And for safety's sake, our people who make a mockery of it have no right terming what US does as paranoia!
Jaydeep Deshpande
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