US envoy apologises to Shah Rukh Khan after he was detained at Los Angeles airport
US Ambassador to India Richard Verma has apologised to Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, after he tweeted that he was detained at the Los Angeles airport. Verma said that Shah Rukh is an inspiration for millions, even in the US.
"I fully understand and respect security with the way the world is, but to be detained at the US immigration every damn time really really sucks," Shah Rukh said in a tweet posted on Friday morning.
I fully understand & respect security with the way the world is, but to be detained at US immigration every damn time really really sucks.
— Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) August 12, 2016
Following this, Verma tweeted out his regret stating the US department will work to ensure this does not happen again in the future.
Sorry for the trouble at LAX @iamsrk. We are working to ensure it doesn’t happen again. Your work inspires millions, including in the US.
— Rich Verma (@USAmbIndia) August 12, 2016
In response to the apology, Shah Rukh tweeted saying he does not expect special treatment but termed the experience "just a tad inconvenient."
No trouble sir, respect the protocol & not expecting 2 b above it. It’s just a tad inconvenient. Thx for ur concern. https://t.co/zQspvxnXsl
— Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) August 12, 2016
Earlier, another senior US diplomat of Indian origin had also tweeted out an apology, which the superstar duly accepted and acknowledged. US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Nisha Biswal tweeted: "Sorry for the hassle at the airport, @iamsrk - even American diplomats get pulled for extra screening!", to which Shah Rukh replied saying he appreciates her "graciousness."
Sorry for the hassle at the airport, @iamsrk - even American diplomats get pulled for extra screening!
— Nisha Biswal (@NishaBiswal) August 12, 2016
No hassle ma’m.Respect the protocol,not expecting to b above it. Appreciate ur graciousness, its just inconvenient. https://t.co/7QFatghuuu
— Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) August 12, 2016
On a positive note, Shah Rukh Khan tweeted: "The brighter side is while waiting caught some really nice Pokemons."
The brighter side is while waiting caught some really nice Pokemons.
— Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) August 12, 2016
This is not the first time that Shah Rukh, one of Hindi film industry's most successful stars, was detained at a US airport.
In 2012, he was detained at a New York airport for two hours when he had arrived to visit Yale University, where he was honoured as a Chubb Fellow.
In 2009, he was stopped at the Newark Airport, New Jersey, and was released after two hours at the intervention of the Indian consulate in New York.
"I was really hassled at the American airport because of my name being Khan. It was absolutely uncalled for. I felt angry and humiliated," Shah Rukh had said, who was then heading towards Chicago to participate in an Independence Day celebration event.
"It is a Muslim name and I think the name is common on their checklist," he had then said.
With inputs from agencies
Updated Date: Aug 12, 2016 12:52:21 IST
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