Former President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam was subjected to frisking at JFK Airport in New York at the end of September this year; his coat and shoes were taken from him even as he was already seated inside an Air India aircraft before departure, top government sources have confirmed to this newspaper.
The government has been informed about the incident by Air India and the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS). Sources said the matter should be taken up strongly with the United States. This is the second incident involving Dr Kalam, who was frisked two years ago at Delhi airport by a US-based airline. That incident had created a furore in Parliament.
Top sources said the latest incident occurred at the end of September this year when US security officials entered the Air India aircraft and insisted on taking away Dr Kalam’s coat and shoes for analysis. An Indian protocol officer requested the US officials not to do so and pointed out that Dr Kalam was a former head of state of India, but the plea fell on deaf years. Dr Kalam’s coat and shoes were later returned to him after a swab analysis. Officials said a swab analysis is done to detect any trace of explosives in clothing or footwear.
“This incident is most unfortunate and should have been avoided by the US officials. Former President Kalam is exempt from frisking in India and this ought to be the case in the US too on the principle of reciprocity. For instance, when former US President George W. Bush visited Mumbai recently, he was exempted from screening in India. The matter should be taken up strongly with the US to ensure such an incident does not take place again,” the top government source told this newspaper.