From The New York Daily News...
Shah Rukh Khan controversy mars India Independence Day Parade
By Joy Resmovits and Meredith Kolodner, Daily News Writers
Thousands turned out for a swirling celebration of India-American pride Sunday, but all they could talk about was the detention of a Bollywood superstar.
Onlookers in bright saris cheered as colorful floats blaring Bhangra tunes rolled down Madison Ave. for the 29th India Independence Day Parade.
Even as they cheered and waved flags, many in the crowd said the questioning of leading man Shah Rukh Khan weighed on their minds.
“I have been through the ordeal Khan saw,” said Tahir Nehmood, 28, an engineer who was once held at Kennedy Airport. “You have to ask, ‘Muslims are stopped the most often. Why is that?’”
Paradegoers were particularly upset that a man known as “our Brad Pitt” could be mistaken for a terrorist.
“It’s sad,” said Ram Iyer, 29, a financial controller who moved to the U.S. from Mumbai in 2002. “He’s very renowned. This was not right.”
Khan was questioned for more than an hour at Newark Airport Friday after his name appeared on a security checklist, U.S. Customs officials said.
The Muslim actor came to the U.S. to promote a new film, “My Name Is Khan,” about ethnic profiling after the Sept. 11 attacks.
Angry fans in one northern Indian city burned an American flag as word of Khan’s detention spread. Still, the incident did not stop the annual celebration in Manhattan.
Reshma Shetty, one of the best-known Indian-American actresses, made a splash atop the Daily News float.
As soon as Shetty walked out of her car, two young fans ran up to her clamoring for a photo.
“We wanted to cry when we saw her,” said Larissa Kermani, 14, a high school student from Kew Gardens, Queens.
Shetty said she loved being in the parade.
“Lots of times when you go places, you have to hide your culture,” Shetty said. “I think New York is not one of those places.”
The Muslim actor came to the U.S. to promote a new film, “My Name Is Khan,.
ReplyDeleteBut he gets detained for two hours over his Muslim name..so bad.
That's terrible, when will we put a stop to this nonsense. Yes, I understand that we need to protect our country, but if he says he's a STAR, then let him go by w/o any hassles. What will he think of we as Americans?
ReplyDeleteI do feel bad he got detained, but after 9-11 homeland security can not take any risks. Has everyone forgotten that we are still at war? Unfortunately, there will be inconveniences, even for celebrities and diplomats. I am sure everyone would rather have an inconvenience than have a plane blown up.
ReplyDelete