Asian Window

In April while boarding a Continental flight to the US former Indian Presdient APJ Abdul Kalam was frisked and subjected to security checks in what is being seen as a shocking breach of protocol. Kalam is one of India’s most popular presidents and is, according to Indian protocol rules, exempt (all former presidents are) from security checks while flying in India. The incident suddenly came to light this week with Kalam confirming that it did indeed take place. In Parliament, politicians across party lines spoke up against the insult and civil aviation minister Praful Patel has ordered a probe into the incident. The American airline, however, claims it did nothing wrong and that all passengers — VIPs and VVIPs included — are subject to being frisked. Yet, a day later, Continental issued an apology, saying it never intended to offend Dr. Kalam ‘or the sentiments of the people of India’.

But Kalam apparently rarely travels with protocol as baggage. Rediff.com quotes an un-named source close to the President Kalam saying the Indian government provides neither security nor protocol when the former president travels to the US. Read that story here.

Some questions: 1. Why has the incident suddenly come to light, three months after it happened?

2. Why wasn’t Kalam accorded a protocol escort by the Indian government who would have previously briefed Continental?

3. Did Continental over-step its brief?

What do you think? Send us your feedback and comments. Meanwhile, here’s the story in DNA

In a breach of protocol, former president APJ Abdul Kalam, who is exempted from security checks due to his status, was frisked by an American airline at the international airport here before boarding the aircraft.

The civil aviation ministry has ordered a probe into the incident involving the ground security staff of Continental Airlines which subjected Kalam to security check before he was to board a Newark-bound flight on April 24.

“The incident took place on April 24 at the Indira Gandhi international airport when Kalam was travelling to the US. He was treated like an ordinary passenger,” sources close to Kalam said. more

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