Ever since the war on terrorism was announced by the US under the presidency of George W. Bush, the American people have become sceptical of Muslims and everyone who looks like a Muslim. People have been subjected to inappropriate checks, particularly at airports. Indian people were harassed several times at airports and on board. Even Indian officials are not spared from embarrassing checking by the American airport officials.
Last year, India’s ex-President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam was frisked by the staff of Continental Airlines before he boarded a flight to the US—at an Indian airport. When India expressed its protest, Continental Airlines apologised for searching Mr Kalam.
The sari is the traditional dress of the Indian woman. It covers most of the body except the hands and face. On December 4, Indian Ambassador to the US Meera Shankar was picked out of a security line and frisked openly in front of passengers at Jackson-Evers International Airport. She had gone to Mississippi to deliver an address to a university on an invitation from the university authorities. The officials of the university accompanied her to the airport, and an airport security officer was escorting her as well. They informed the airport staff that she was the Ambassador, yet she was not spared.
The US Secretary of Homeland Security said at the time that the checking was appropriate. Some opposition parties in India demanded the government subject the US envoy to security searches on flights. After a strong protest from the Indian Foreign Minister calling the incident unacceptable, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton expressed concern about it.
India's UN envoy, Hardeep Puri, was asked to 
remove his turban at an airport in Houston, Texas, two weeks ago. When he refused to do so, he was detained in a holding room. Turban wearing is the religious tradition for Indian Sikhs who are supposed to keep all hair intact and cover it with a turban. The turban is removed only at intimate movements such as for washing hair. The Sikhs consider the turban a symbol of pride, self-respect, and piety. Foreign Minister S. M. Krishna said the matter had been taken to the US authorities.
Article comments
1 - Dr Dreadful
And yet, isn't it the case that the people who have been caught trying to blow up US aircraft since 9/11 have invariably not "looked like a Muslim"?
Small sample size, I know. And there was the 2006 transatlantic bombing plot, which was stopped before the idiots could board any planes.
2 - Sekhar
Yes DD, you are right. There are even American Muslims involved in killing US troops withing the US borders. After killings, the US government statement emerged claiming they knew it already.
3 - zingzing
"After killings, the US government statement emerged claiming they knew it already."
eh? can't really figure out what that means.
"Ever since the war on terrorism was announced by the US under the presidency of George W. Bush, the American people have become sceptical of Muslims and everyone who looks like a Muslim."
well... that's painting with a big brush. funny how those same people elected a president with such a name. that suggests there may be more to the story than your all-consuming "the american people" up there.
4 - Sekhar
You remember Fort Hood killings on November 5 last year Zingzing? An army psychiatrist killed 10 troops and two civilians. Some days after the incident government people said the doctor was already under observation for six months for discussing human bombs etc... on the net.
Many Indians have experiences while on board of being watched with suspicious looks of Americans. Particularly turban wearing Sikhs. Indians settled in America also shared such experiences.
Sometimes I wonder how Bush got reelected for second term.