One day after the U.S. air company Continental Airlines issued a public apology for frisking former Indian President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam at the Delhi airport three months ago, Kalam said on Thursday that he is yet to receive a personal apology from the airlines.
“I have not yet received it and whatever I have to do I have said,” Kalam said in a statement to the media.
When asked if he considered it an insult, the former president said, “It has been discussed in the Parliament.”
Continental Airlines Wednesday said they regretted the misunderstanding or the inconvenience, after Indian government filed a show-cause notice to it for allegedly breaching Indian aviation rules.
“Continental Airlines apologizes to Dr. Kalam for any misunderstanding and (or) inconvenience related to the security screening on April 21. Our intention was never to offend Dr. Kalamor the sentiments of the people of India. Continental Airlines takes great pride and is honored to have flown a respectable leader such as Kalam,” the U.S. airlines said in a statement.
A highly respected nuclear scientist and intellectual, Kalam was reportedly so angered by the rudeness of the U.S. air agents that he refused to comment on this incident and only let it be known recently.
Continental Airlines spokesperson also confirmed that the apology letter has been delivered to Dr Kalam’s office on Wednesday. Since Dr Kalam is currently traveling out of Delhi, the letter was delivered to his official staff and they have confirmed the receipt of the letter.
Source: China view.cn
By: KabirT - 31st July 2009 at 05:20
its nothing to do with him being an intellectual, its him being a former head of state.
By: steve rowell - 30th July 2009 at 23:58
Why does being an intellectual exempt him from the law…after all an intellectual is just someone who can listen to the “William Tell Overture” and not think of “The Lone Ranger”
By: KabirT - 30th July 2009 at 19:45
not really…. works a bit differently here i guess.
By: nJayM - 30th July 2009 at 19:25
He was a bona fide passenger, he wasn’t travelling in any official diplomatic or government capacity so what’s the big problem? He was ‘frisked’ in a randomised selection. Nothing to get upset about is there ?
By: KabirT - 30th July 2009 at 18:22
He did not bring the issue up, the issue was found out in a DGCA report by the government. He happily obliged with what he was asked to do.
Not to frisk any Indian VIP of the stature of ex-president or ex-PM is a law here and not just a suggestion.
Like it or not but if you are visiting another village than yours, you have to abide by the rules of that place.
One can argue such a law is invalid these days, even when countries like Israel frisk the leaders of MOSSAD but India abolished its VIP bill in the Civil Aviation CoC in 2005 and every VIP is now frisked, except ex-presidents, ex-PMs and ex-Chief Justice.
By: cloud_9 - 30th July 2009 at 17:23
I’m wondering why Continental is even involved…
Me too.:confused:
At the end of the day, the guy was selected for a security search; just because he is “a highly respected nuclear scientist and intellectual” and former president of the country doesnt grant him any exemption in my opinion.
Also, why is he complaining now about an incident that happened on 21st Apr…is it not a bit late to do something about it now?
By: Ship 741 - 30th July 2009 at 11:43
I’m wondering why Continental is even involved…..I thought security was the responsibility of the TSA.
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July 30, 2009 at 6:03 am