Talking of racial bias, I would like to first admit that we as asians especially Indians(good number) have an inferiorty complex in most matters and have a special attraction towards "WHITE PEOPLE". Somehow Indians have a notion that western people are superior to all others and hence we they deserve more respect. For the same reason we had given our country to them for three hundred and fifty years. I am genuinely hurt when fellow Indians start discriminating against us. How many times have we seen our own airlines' crew members or airport staff members or for that matter even porters behaving harshly with us but at the same time trying to appease foreigners for every little thing. How many times have we seen Indians trying to bootlick whites and at the same time showing utmost disrespect to their fellow Indians. It is not just in India or Srilanka or any other asian country or for that matter air, you can see the same attitude shown by the asians abroad aswell for example at work places, Indian restaurants, gettogethers etc etc. Until and unless we learn to respect ourselves, we should stop talking about the bias or discrimination shown by white/western people against us.
RE:Racial bias against asians
by Amit on Aug 28, 2006 12:34 PM Permalink
Perfect! We need to behave our self & follow rules rather seriously.Its not important ,had they done the same if they weren't from one particular sect.Whats important if an untowards incident happens it doesn't see religion.Again people become more consicious as all such treats are coming from sect that are know worldwide.So if you were in their place you too will be cautious & bias with a particulat sect targeted .If they act suspiciously.Infact secutiry is a must & it may inconvinient us but its for our good. Finally we should behave ourselve.Again it should be matter of Pride that Indian Muslims are not treated as others asian Muslims as they are Indians.So its a pride moment that our fellow country men came after few harsh interogations,which too happen on a/c of our misbehaviour ,not following rules on board.
RE:Racial bias against asians
by Goswamy on Aug 25, 2006 01:59 PM Permalink
Yes it is 100% Racial harassment. It is atrocious that South Asian people are arrested and kicked off flights for conversing in their language, for being dressed differently, and for looking different.
We should teach those white idiots a lesson. We should do the same to European and American Passengers flying in India. If they talk in a non-Indian language, they would be hand-cuffed and taken off the flight on suspicion of terrorism. If they dress differently from Indians, they should be kicked off the flights because they look suspicious.
ohh kahate hein na doodh se jala gaya to chhas bhi phunk ke pite hein .... circumstances are such small thing will be projected out of proportion.
Nobody knows what happened inside the plane. But it is our duty to comply with rules as much as possible ... Be aware, you are also representing your country when abroad!!!
If they didnt follow instructions of the crew, then they are at fault. Considering the current situation, it is understandable that the crew decided to err on the side of caution. I think the crew did what was necessary.
It would be racial profiling, if only they as a group werent allowed to use cell phones or laptops, whereas the other passengers were allowed to do so. That did not happen.
Would they have turned the flight if it was a group of caucasians rather than muslims? that is upto speculation, but based on my personal experiences, I think they would have done the same thing even if they would have been caucasians.
Please donot try to give it a racially motivated angle. I travel regularly and airport security treats every person the same regardless of their race or color.
RE:I dont think we should think of this as racial profiling
by Raja Mohan on Aug 28, 2006 01:54 PM Permalink
Hi Kshitij, I am wondering if we get better respect in Air India. This is the airlines which treated Indians like dogs. Even then we travelled in this airlines only because it turned out to be the cheapest option. Otherwise, I found that the crew treated the Indian passengers like the hell. If I travel in other airlines, there is atleast 1% chance that we can be treated better, but Air India.... absolutely NO. Best regards, Raja Mohan
RE:I dont think we should think of this as racial profiling
by kumar on Aug 28, 2006 09:41 AM Permalink
hmm... well screen muslims because they do jihad against western countries. What about westerners that attack other countries on false reasons?? Shouldnt they be screened ??? Whenever and wherever you see pedophile cases at tourist places, you see westerners involved (goa and thailand are examples). So should every westerner be seen as pedofile and war monger ???
Absolutely! This is nothing but racial profiling. I would advise Indian passengers to use Air India rather than foreign airlines. Specially european ones. I am a frequent traveller within US and several times airport security officers have asked for extra screening on me just by looking at my face. At one point it reached a level wherein I wanted to give up my job to avoid this humiliation. A lot of those officers are discourteous and they think they are doing their job. They dont even bother to say sorry after the incident is over.
RE:racial profiling
by Hemant S on Aug 25, 2006 06:00 PM Permalink
Kshitij, I don't understand what would upset you. I am totally for racial/ethnic profiling. Even when i travel in US and being asked for extra security, i think that if searching me increases the chances of catching a potential bomber than why not. Muslims in india also cry of religious profiling, but if they are true indians than they would also take it in the same spirit. If 8 out of 10 guyz who are accused of drug peddling are african american, than its definite that keeping a watch on them would definitely increase the chances of cathcing drug peddlers.
RE:racial profiling
by Indian on Aug 25, 2006 06:28 PM Permalink
Mr. Raghvan and Rajiv, hundreds of muslims including my relatives are known to me (also bearded among them). The thing which is not known is the protocol to identify them as terrorist to eradicate them. Do you really think that to keep beard or choti or tilak may make a person terrorist? If yes, despite with all these three marks of terrorism, Narendra Modi is so innocent and not a terrorist! Please suggest other identification marks or protocols.
RE:racial profiling
by Sudhir on Aug 26, 2006 12:28 AM Permalink
Dear friend, I do not rule out racism completely. But, there is no reason to bring that issue in the light of recent incident on northwest flight. You will discover behaviors of discrimination among people of same religion, same culture. But, if certain behaviours are affecting lives of many innocent, then the subject of discrimination should be left out of the subject at hand.
RE:racial profiling
by raghwendra on Aug 28, 2006 10:04 AM Permalink
Dear Friend
Its good to know that you are a regular flier and i hope that you are having atlest some basic level of understanding so that you can discriminate between humiliation and security needs.
i am still not able to find a reason why you should leave your job.If u dont know US made checks to indian defence minister as well as Shahrukh Khan and they respected the decision of them bcoz they understand the need of this extra security.
I hope from next time you will be more considerate and rational before making decisons like leaving job because of security checks. take care
RE:racial profiling
by kshitij tumbde on Oct 05, 2006 04:02 AM Permalink
I totally respect the matter of extra security but my question is would they do the same thing if 10 whites were passing cell phones around? If northwest staff is incompetent to understand cultures and lifestyles of people to the country where they are flying to , why are they flying to India? Why are they allowed business in our country?
There is nothing wrong in this profiling . Interst of the pasengers and teh public ar more imporant tan the convenience of any single or group of passengers . The terrorists being those who have declred to be on war with countries on religious grounds and the the heads of the particila religoyus group all oer the world openly supporting the terrorists on religous grounds what dso you expect any responsible government to do to avoid terrorist attck ? Thiose who are really innocent should not have have problem or fea and should rally co-opertat e with the authorites and put up with theinconvenience even in their own safety . On the other hand the communit that feels unhappy about rqcial profiling devise a method of safety that can bve suplanted to racial profiling. It is easy to talk nonsense . thiose who hat racuial profiling take severe action against the terrorists . why not those religious leaders issue afatwa against the terrorists if theirs action is anti religious and save the image of the great religion and in teh innocnet muslims ? they issue /fatwa agisnt people for insignificant things .They can do it against those among the muslims who damage the imag of the religion?.
RE:are passengers racially profiled
by Raj on Aug 26, 2006 01:16 AM Permalink
are the passengers in flights from Islamic countries allowed to talk over mobile phones, use laptops, allowed to go to toilet during take off or landing, allowed to misbehave with cabin crews?
RE:are passengers racially profiled
by KHAN on Aug 28, 2006 09:01 AM Permalink
Dear,
Not at all.
The people should behave in civilized manner and should follow the all regulations.
If you are following your religion so passionatelu why dont you follow regulations in your normal life. including the flight regulations.
I wonder as you told everyone should travel by muslim originated airlines. can these muslim originated airlines allow you to do dance , behave and do whatever you.?????? If so then you always travel by muslim airlines.
Keep in mind regulations are same for all.
try to behave like modern and civilized man.. god bless you khan
RE:are passengers racially profiled
by Anonym on Aug 25, 2006 05:46 PM Permalink
U are absolutely correct. Really the world community and the community mentioned by u should think as many times as possible to weed out these evils who are only a handful and can be eradicated easily. This way the whole community will come out clean.
RE:are passengers racially profiled
by rajiv mahajan on Aug 25, 2006 05:51 PM Permalink
Any community which sleeps over its ills has to pay for it. An eye witness co-passenger says that they saw a group of passegers were behaving suspiciously and other paassegers brought this to the notice of the crew. The reaction that followed was only logical. Where is racial profiling in it ? Boss when you are on flight and you see a bearded mulla on it, apki phategi nahi ? Media wale is sachai ko nahi jante kya ?
If you have a beard ,wear a shalwar kurta, occasionaly have a topi , then beware, dont travel or you will be detained , thats the latest attack on muslims. I advise all muslims to travel only on airlines that are originating from muslim countries, that way you are less likely to be harassed and called suspious behaviour or terrorist. travel on saudi airlines, kuwait, malaysian airline, etc. even if you have to pay more, becuase it means people are less likely to look at you suspiously and you dont have be worried about being a muslim .
RE:they are muslim profiled not nessarirly racially
by Thomas Anand on Aug 28, 2006 12:02 PM Permalink
Dear Zia, They way u think and the way u behave in a multicultured society shall have certain effect. Your mentality is reveiled in your message. Without fire there will be no smoke! I have a request to my dear Muslim brothers and sisters. First of all u learn to respect others religions and believes also. I have certain friends that they make friendship with muslims only. One more thing I had and experience that when I was working in a gulf country, one day there was a cricket match between pakistan and India. I was inside a Restaurant which is run by Indian Muslims. So many Pakistanis were also there for taking food. In the match Indian team was in a postion near to failure. As usual Pakistanis sitting inside the hotel started chanting and clapping hands for their team. They always use bad words to provocate the Indians sitting there. the thing which shocked me was that the hotel's owner and the supplier boys who are Indian muslims started laughing and supporting with the pakistani people without knowing that I was there. When they saw me I asked them about their behavior and the owner said that it was just to make the pakistani customers happy that they are his regular customer
RE:they are muslim profiled not nessarirly racially
by Anand on Aug 26, 2006 04:12 PM Permalink
Its idiotic people like you who have helped create this situation !! You people just want to live in ghettos and not mix with other people across the world and live in harmony and peace.
RE:they are muslim profiled not nessarirly racially
by SECULAR on Aug 26, 2006 10:08 AM Permalink
The crux of the problem is that it is now very much necessary that the air Passengers behave in a responsible manner and extend fullest cooperation to the Cabin Crew.
It is absolutely right on the part of the Airlines to offload the PAX who does not respect the flight rules and disturb the fellow passengers, as had been the CASE WITH 12 INDIAN PASSENGERS.
Air passengers are expected to behave in a civilised manner and to ensure that the fellow passengers are not put to inconvenience. These are fundamental requirements and has to be complied with ZERO tolerance.
The people who wish not to comply with the Flight Rules and Regulations shd not travel by air!
RE:they are muslim profiled not nessarirly racially
by Pawan Kumar on Aug 29, 2006 11:32 AM Permalink
You suggest not to travel with beard, cap etc. but why dont you suggest the people to adhere to the instructions of crew in the flight. The whole world is facing terrorism these days so whats wrong in being more cautious. The problem of flight turning back would have not cropped if these 12 men had acted like others (following crews instructions).
So, dont try to divide the communities in the world. It will unnecessarily create misperception of the things. Who knows with the act of terrorism people like you also may be victims one day. When you think about your life than you start feeling the fear or pain that the whole world is going through now so you too will think that one has to be more careful for saving their lives and obvious government is the one which taking care of the society.
Please encourage unity so that there will not be problems. Dont inculcate unnecessary doubts in people mind.
RE:they are muslim profiled not nessarirly racially
by jj on Aug 26, 2006 09:30 AM Permalink
"If you have a beard ,wear a shalwar kurta, occasionaly have a topi , then beware, dont travel or you will be detained , thats the latest attack on muslims. I advise all muslims to travel only on NO airlines zia "
RE:they are muslim profiled not nessarirly racially
by nilesh on Aug 25, 2006 07:36 PM Permalink
hi there
People with thoughts like yours divide this world. u encourage people not to travel in foreign airlines just because they had to interrogate these 12 people since they were acting crazy onbaord. Crew members were doing their part to ensure safety of others.If these guys were in with some stuff to cause damage and think if they were successful. These jihadis don't bother who they are killing in name of ALLAH ,they just want to accomplish their missions,they don't care even if fellow muslim dies in the incidents.
These jihadis are just common people who were unsuccessful in life couldn't even get jobs to fill their stomachs and were not able to lead a peaceful life so to hide their failure in life they just join these terrorist in the name of jihad to accomplish their own motives.
RE:they are muslim profiled not nessarirly racially
by Nithin on Aug 28, 2006 09:56 AM Permalink
Hi All, On this issue of detaining the indian passengers. I support the Crew and Captain of Northwest flight NW0042. These are days were terror can struck anywhere.. So if there was a suspicious behaviour from any passenger they should be detained. Its a matter of lifes of the other fellow passengers.
I saw the interview of a lady fellow passenger who was saying that these detained guys were really involved in suspicious activities.
So the Crew did the right thing. Media and Govt. on its part are not asking what these guys did. They are blindly saying what Duch govt did is wrong. And I dont think so .
The indian govt is adopting a " Divide and Rule " sratergy whether its on bases of Religion or on grounds of Caste (in case of Quota in Colleges).
RE:they are muslim profiled not nessarirly racially
by abhishek on Aug 28, 2006 11:24 AM Permalink
Hi Zia, u have mentioned the mnmaes of muslim countries...that enable u to fly even if u have a berad..well have u faced similar treatment in india as well???i dont think so...
RE:they are muslim profiled not nessarirly racially
by shashi on Aug 28, 2006 09:37 AM Permalink
Which ever airlins you use including the one originating from muslim countires, you will be definatly invite trouble if you act in the way those 12 passengers acted.
Many of us including the one who are saying racial profiling would not like to be in a plane where we see group of passengers using mobile phones while the olane is in the air and acting strangly.
RE:they are muslim profiled not nessarirly racially
by kurzon on Aug 28, 2006 10:19 AM Permalink
It wont be long before Muslim airlines will be brot down by muslim terrorrists. These fundamentalists will come down to earth that day.
RE:they are muslim profiled not nessarirly racially
by Thoms on Aug 28, 2006 09:07 AM Permalink
Passengers, who has scant respect for airline rules and regulations are not worth travelling by it. They endanger others lives.... We have this habit of overcrowding onboard and not following the strict airline code of conduct. Probably this is a warning. It is absurd to add either racial or religious hues to it!!
RE:they are muslim profiled not nessarirly racially
by Vijay on Aug 28, 2006 10:09 PM Permalink
Zia, That is a stupid advise. Why not behave " properly" so that you are not signalled out. Do you know how these idiots behaved on that flight. You should read other passengers acount first. One of the passenger ( in Indian) even thought that these guys were ready to do something? Why mis-behave and give your country, community and even religion a bad name. You should see how people behave on flights in and out of India!
RE:they are muslim profiled not nessarirly racially
by Sudhir on Aug 26, 2006 12:19 AM Permalink
Dear friend, It is a good suggestion. But you don't need to do that. I don't think the recent incident should be linked to racial discrimination. Your message suggests that you believe that there was racial discrimination here. Which is not true if you read the news carefully. There is no harm in following your religion or culture, but when your are entering into a different region or culture or a system for that matter, then you should make sure that you are not being arrogant or careless or irresponsible. This will make things little easier.
RE:they are muslim profiled not nessarirly racially
by ashish on Aug 26, 2006 12:51 PM Permalink
it is very easy to say , use airlines originating from muslim countries. this in fact is indeed racial.
are you ready to stop using modern technology anything that originated from non-muslim countries. are you not benefciary of liberalised economy which is contribution of western culture .
we should realise that USA is oldest democracy and most sucessful society on earth that has given almost equal opprtunity without any discrimination , to nurture the talent .
RE:they are muslim profiled not nessarirly racially
by Eswar on Aug 28, 2006 11:06 AM Permalink
You think exactly like Islam extremists. The core problem is the irrational behavior of those 12 passengers. The airlines company has to give importance to the safety of the passengers rather than coping up with the crazy behavior of those 12 people.
