Frisking of Kalam, Bush II and US security

Though US embassy has apologised for frisking former president APJ Abdul Kalam, the anger of some Indians is yet to subside. Deeply hurt by the treatment mooted out to the 80-year-old scientist and their role model, many have churned out articles critical to the US security set up on blogs and websites. The Indian media too gave the double frisking of Kalam at a New York airport a month ago a wide coverage.

Reports have surfaced that Kalam after being subjected to private screening was later on asked to take off his jacket and shoes. It is this that has sparked an outrage in India. Many are unable to understand that why an old man who was president of India subjected to such humiliation. Chances are that Kalam was subjected to double frisking because he does not come under the category of dignitaries who are not to undergo security screening or maybe because of his name.

All said, it makes no sense to frisk an old man as he is not a security threat. There are two things either the American security men are naive and scarred or they are not briefed about senior dignitaries. Also, the fault lies with the Indian government that has failed to convince or exchanged names of senior dignitaries like Kalam with the US Administration. Had the frisking happened for the first time, things would have understood but such incidents have happened earlier too.

The US government only apologised when pressures were mounted on it. But the whole incident is unfortunate. It can be understood that after September 11, the US has girded up its security and makes sure to put visitors under stringent security checks. There is nothing wrong in it. The move is appreciable. But at the same time the US authorities or security men should use their common sense for not harassing old man or senior dignitaries. What if other countries also follow suit. Can India that talks about being partner to US in the the globalised world do the same to some former American presidents like George W Bush II, who had visited Mumbai recently? This is something unimaginable as all hell will broke.

Such incidents only remind that despite India emerging as an economic power, the US is still the boss and calls the shot. The American authorities should understand that such acts only spark revulsion against the country and buttress the stand that the Americans don't care about others, even their new partner India.