The treatment meted out to our former head of state by the security staff of the American airline is a clear violation of Indian laws and a breach of protocol meant for VIPs and VVIPs, who are exempt from frisking and security checks.

What is more shocking is to see the dilly-dallying by Continental Airlines over the issue. It earlier refused to budge and tender an apology for its disrespectful behaviour citing obligations under United States Department of Homeland Security laws.

Justifying its action, the airliner said that former President APJ Abdul Kalam was not exempt from frisking before boarding the aircraft.

However, it was only after the controversy surrounding its action triggered widespread criticism from all quarters of life and the government’s subsequent order of an inquiry into the whole incident, that the airliner issued an apology.

All this had no doubt angered and offended the pride and dignity of every Indian.

This is not the first time that an Indian VIP has been subjected to full body frisking by the US authorities in the name of security checks. Last year, the then External Affairs Minister, Pranab Mukherjee was frisked at Moscow airport. In 2003, our former defence minister George Fernandes was also given similar treatment by the US authorities while he was on an official visit to the US.

So, it would be appropriate if the Indian government demands an apology from the US administration over the 'crass and disrespectful behaviour' of the Continental Ailrlines.

Ironically, this incident has come to light at a time when the Indian establishment was busy giving a red carpet welcome to the visiting US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Our government took adequate security measures to avoid any untoward incidents during the US dignitary’s visit to India.

There remains little doubt that Hillary was treated like a visiting queen and the Indian media also attached great significance to her tour.

And why Hillary only?

New Delhi has always given a special treatment to any VIP, any dignitary visiting our country irrespective of his/her country’s political status.

We have always lived up to our age-old saying 'Atithi devo bhav' (guests are like God).

Imagine, how the Americans would have reacted had the Indian authorities frisked Hillary or asked the lady to remove her shoes in the name of a security check.

Why is it that Indians are always expected to bear such humiliations graciously and not supposed to raise their voice against all this?

The Americans take pride in following their country’s legislation on their home soil but they must also learn to abide by norms and regulations while operating in a different country.

They can not ill-treat any one and at the same time expect the best of every thing for their own brethren.

Here, I am totally not against frisking anyone or security checks when the safety of so many innocent lives is at stake. Any one would agree that in view of increased terrorist threats, especially after 9/11 attacks, every country and not only America, has introduced enhanced security measures to assess and detect any threat to human lives.

But the question is why the US airline or, for that matter, some countries follow double standard security procedures - a lenient one for their own men and a hostile one for persons of different nationalities.

Could the ground staff of Continental Airlines show the same courage and frisk George Bush, after all, the stature of Mr Kalam is no less than the former American President.

Could they dare frisking US President Barack Obama if they are so dutiful and claim to follow the same security procedures for each and every one?

It is a pity to think that some one like former President APJ Abdul Kalam could pose a threat to the fellow passengers travelling in the same flight. And if it’s so, then no one in this whole world can be trusted. In such case, a common man needs to fear another common man.

The officials of other countries must also show respect to the internationally accepted norms and protocols meant for VVIPs like head of states, pm, chief justices, cabinet ministers, ambassador, monarchs etc who are all exempted from frisking.

Let’s hope that no distinguished Indian is ill-treated anywhere in the name of security in future.