IT WAS Shah Rukh’s turn to be humiliated at the hands of American authorities. I hope we haven’t forgotten the episodes where the same treatment was meted out to our Defense Minister, George Fernandes and ex-President Shri Abdul Kalam. I wonder what type of reception a common Indian citizen receives in that country when even our esteemed citizens are subjected to humiliation and embarrassment there?

Isn’t it humiliating to watch the most iconic and prominent citizens of our country being consistently subjected to embarrassment by American authorities. The occurrence of such incidents on a regular basis certainly points towards the mindset of American authorities towards Indians and Asians at large. It certainly illustrates that despite friendly exchanges at the highest level, Americans still look down upon our nation. The very fact that it is going unabated also points towards the government’s ineffectiveness or reluctance to pursue this issue with our so-called friend.

Doesn’t the government owe the responsibility to come clean on the issue as to what is their analysis on the issue or what type of actions they are initiating to curb such incidents in future? In all probability, it seems that certain things are beyond the control of government or else there would have been some sort of action in this regard. The lukewarm response to such incidents testify to the fact that these are of routine nature and are well-known by the government. If it is so, then it is even more humiliating for us – the citizens, who are time and again reminded by our governments about the rising stature of our country.

After the disintegration of the former USSR, the Indian establishment blindly amended its foreign policy to get into the fold of the world’s lone superpower. Each successive government has a single line agenda for improving relations with the USA and any treaty or dialogue with that country was projected as an achievement of that government. There is no denying the fact that the country has benefited immensely from our relations with America. But then, whether it is a nuclear deal or something else, Americans also gain their bit. Is it prudent to go for those benefits at the cost of self-respect?

Such acts by American authorities only show their arrogant attitude wherein they don’t attach any significance to our establishment. Or else how can they justify frisking an Indian cabinet minister or Ex-President? If they do have such rigid rules then it must apply to everyone else as well. I don’t think any European, Australian, Russian or even Chinese ministers would have been meted out such treatment in that country.

Let me enumerate a few other recent actions which speak about the meek capitulation of the Indian government vis-à-vis American’s interests:
(a) America’s unabated support to Pakistan, military, material as well as monetary.
(b) Forcing India-Pakistan joint statement (containing Balochistan issue) ahead of Hillary’s visit.
(c) Putting India on the watch-list apropos secularism.
(d) Signing of the carbon emission agreement by the Indian PM.

We as a nation must assert ourselves. Not only government; even the media in our country seems to be overawed by Americans. Why attach so much significance to a secretary’s (Hilary Clinton) visit when they don’t even bother about our first citizen? We must act now to get the respect we deserve and if the Americans are not ready to offer it then they must not get it either.