In a country of over 1 billion, 160 million people, somewhere around or approximate to 300 million are classified as Dalits. According to their Constitution of 1950, it is against the law to discriminate against Dalits - BUT in India, laws only pertain to those who are a) poor, b) not powerful, c) not educated, d) unable to avoid being caught (which requires money, education, and connections).
It is common in India for this discrimination against 300 million to occur. Every human rights agency or similar organization on earth records thousands of cases each year - violence, rape, beatings, burnings, humiliation (imagine raping someone and having them parade through the street naked while everyone in the town watches and laughs - including the police).
When confronted publicly, they will refer you to the Constitution of 1950 and explain that the cases are rare and when the police are told, they become involved. This would sound good, except in many cases, it is the police who are further humiliating the dalit. The person (from the dalit class) is abused, attacked, burned, raped, beaten - they go to the police who in turn will often humiliate them further, ignore them, or rape them again. The stories are legion - and it is not simply one or two stories .... I have personally read over thirty such stories, several dealing in scores of examples and this is all in the last few months. I have not trolled Indian newspapers daily, or human rights agencies for the details - my stumbling upon the stories is random, not purposeful. If I trolled the local newspapers of India carefully I am quite sure we could find scores of examples each day.
When we have a court case and trial where the defendant is wealthy or powerful, we tend to watch more carefully for their ability to circumvent the law. When they escape what 'we' believe is a fair judgment we react publicly. We do not condone classes in the United States and permit those from 'better' classes the privilege of escaping justice, or the routine scrutiny of investigations. Does it happen in the United States - probably, but it is not endemic to the judicial system whereby anyone from the higher classes escapes justice simply by virtue of their being a 'better' person.
In India - escaping justice or scrutiny is reserved for VIPs - associated with class or power.
As for punishing Americans in a tit-for-tat, go ahead. Remember that it is American visitors who bring the money to India - not the Europeans. You want to discourage Americans traveling to India? You have bigger worries. The Mumbai killers didn't get into the city without help from within the country and within the city. Concentrate on issues that are crucial to your country, and the safety of millions - perhaps even, work on the 300 million who are discriminated against.
Actor's US 'detention' prompts outrage in India
By NIRMALA GEORGE
Associated Press Writer
Sun Aug 16, 2009
NEW DELHI – Angry fans burned a U.S. flag in protest Sunday, a Cabinet minister suggested searching visiting Americans and an actress tweeted her outrage after Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan said he was detained for questioning at a U.S. airport.
Though U.S. immigration officials denied he was formally held, 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. One Cabinet minister suggested a "tit-for-tat" policy toward Americans traveling to India.
Angry fans in the northern city of Allahabad shouted anti-U.S. slogans and burned an American flag.
Khan said he was detained Friday by U.S. immigration officials at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey because his name came up on a computer alert list.
The actor is in the U.S. to promote a new film, "My Name is Khan," which is about racial profiling of Muslims after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.
The story was front-page news in India, where the ability to avoid being frisked at airports is seen as a status symbol. Politicians, sports celebrities and film stars often claim VIP status to avoid security checks.
"My name is Khan? Too bad. SRK (Shah Rukh Khan) feels the heat of American paranoia," said The Times of India, quoting Khan as saying he felt "angry and humiliated."
Khan later downplayed the incident. "I think it's a procedure that needs to be followed, but an unfortunate procedure," he told reporters Saturday in suburban Chicago.
U.S. customs officials told The Associated Press that Khan was questioned as part of a routine process that took 66 minutes. Spokesman Elmer Camacho said Khan was not detained, "but it took a little longer because his bag was lost by the airline."
"Shocking, disturbing n downright disgraceful. It's such behavior that fuels hatred and racism. SRK's a world figure for God's sake. Get real!" actress Priyanka Chopra said on her Twitter feed.
The federal information minister, Ambika Soni, angrily suggested that India adopt a similar policy toward Americans traveling to India.
In the Indian capital, New Delhi, a small group of photo-waving fans shouted slogans in support of Khan.
The U.S. ambassador, Timothy J. Roemer, on Saturday said the U.S. Embassy was trying to "ascertain the facts of the case — to understand what took place."
Khan, 44, has acted in more than 70 films, and has consistently topped popularity rankings in India for the past several years.
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Now he doesn't want to step foot on US soil again.
I say - fine.
After his 'ordeal' at the hands of immigration officials at the Newark airport, Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan has said he does not feel like stepping on American soil anymore but ruled out seeking an apology for the incident which was denied by US officials.
India
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