India reacts with outrage over SRK's detention

The Sydney Morning Herald has reported this morning that India reacted with outrage after Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan said he was detained for questioning at a US airport, though immigration officials denied he was formally held.

The Sydney Morning Herald has reported this morning that "India reacted with outrage" afteru00a0 Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan said he was detained for questioning at a US airport, "though immigration officials denied he was formally held".

The newspaper said: "Fellow Indian film stars and political leaders condemned what they called 'humiliating' treatment given to Khan, a Muslim who is well-loved in a largely Hindu country", and quoted one cabinet minister as suggesting a "tit-for-tat'' policy towards Americans travelling to India.

The Herald reported that the story was front-page news in India, "where the ability to avoid being frisked at airports is seen as a status symbol".

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It said Indian politicians, sports celebrities and film stars often claim VIP status to avoid security checks.

"My name is Khan? Too bad. SRK feels the heat of American paranoia'', it quoted The Times of India, saying the superstar felt '"angry and humiliated''.

Wronged? Shah Rukh Khan

The Sydney paper says: "Khan later played down the incident. 'I think it's a procedure that needs to be followed, but an unfortunate procedure,' he told reporters in Chicago.

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"Enraged fans yesterday planned to protest against the incident with a demonstration near India's Parliament," the Herald said in the story published in its World section (Home Page on its website).