FRISKING ANGELINA JOLIE

The response to the detention of Shahrukh Khan (SRK) at Newark Airport is funny. I&B Minister Ambica Soni came up with “tit for tat” policy, i.e., we must also frisk their VIPs. But Ambica Soni’s “tit-for-tat” response shot up SRK's testosterone levels. He twittered that he can be called in to frisk actors Angelina Jolie and Megan Fox when they visit India.

I wonder whether he would get an opportunity to get close enough to frisk Angelina or any American actor whenever they visit India. Fans, politicians, security men and mediamen fall over each other whenever any ‘angrez’ lands in India. Our officials may also ensure that they come through without any security check.

Firstly, we bend rules to please the ‘angrez’ and when they frisk our “VIPs”, we crib. But who is stopping us from frisking them. The problem is with us and not with them (US). We are starry eyed. Our security personnel will go down to any extent while dealing with laymen. But they have a tendency to let off VIPs or film stars without the mandatory security drills.

Sometimes they frisk male visitors only. This selective screening is obvious while driving through Army areas. Mostly, civilians have to prove their identity. Anybody in Army uniform goes unchecked. Cars with “Army” sticker gets through easily. What more, the soldier at the post salutes the person in the car assuming him as an officer!

We don't get a sense of security at Railway stations. Leave alone frisking, policemen can be seen reading newspapers or chatting. We are lucky that Railway stations are rarely targetted by terrorists.

These double standards in security measures will cost us dearly. Now that well-heeled and highly educated men and women from all religions have joined the ranks of terrorists, it is time for us to shed the policy of selective frisking.