I believe rules are rules. India doesn't allow transit visa and so you always need to have a proper document. As for the Frenchman getting a 2-day transit visa, maybe due to different reasons, and maybe valid based on his history of Indian visas. There is no credibility of reason that the French got his visa because of his color/race. Indian rules are strict, I remember my brother's "white" friend being hauled up in Assam because he had no proper document for entering the state. He had to leave the state within 24 hours. Sikkim has strict rules for foreigners but fairly easy for Indian tourists.
I am fairly conservative in checking back my documents again and again while travelling between US and India. Rules in both the countries are strict. They are not Singapore or Thailand that you expect transit visa on arrival.
Anecdote. Do the NRI kids pay the foreigner's fee when they visit Taj Mahal, Qutb Minar ? Never.
