•It is true that the wonderful “liberal principles” don’t quite apply to non-US citizens at immigration check (‘Stepping aside’, IE, August 18). The issue is of concern given the history of US institutional racism. However, there’s also the case against the “VIP syndrome”, a typical trait of Indian celebrities. While Shah Rukh Khan is no babe in the woods, the attitude of immigration officials in the West, particularly the US, towards Asians deserves criticism. It’s ridiculous anyway to call it a publicity stunt.

— Shishir Sindekar Nasik.

•One understands the Indian government’s protests when former president Abdul Kalam was frisked. But as far as Shah Rukh Khan is concerned, despite his celebrity, he is just an ordinary citizen. And the Newark airport authorities were acting within the bounds of US law in detaining him, no matter how repellent that law might be to free citizens across the globe. The media shouldn’t have paid so much attention to Khan’s “ordeal”; there are after all so many Indians routinely facing the same. Why isn’t there any story about these travellers?

— Harischandra Parasuram

Mumbai

Bravo Minister!

•This refers to the editorial ‘Perfect lob’ (IE, August 18). The Union home minister has indeed set an example and practically dispelled the paranoia about sports safety in India. The English badminton team should be embarrassed. On the other hand, P. Chidambaram’s boldness should also be an object lesson to our entire political leadership that flaunts its security rings. Ironically, the state’s security couldn’t meet 26/11 when it happened; after all public security is a lower priority for the netas. The home ministry should now shift the focus to a security apparatus to protect all citizens.

... contd.