Continental's tongue in cheek apology is worthless.Insult to India is immense in this case. Appropriate punishment is to Ban Continental from operating in India for ever. If we could get rid of Coca cola in 1977 we can do it now. Let us start a petition to our law makers to throw out the airline.Frisking is an ultimate insult to a human being.It has not been shown to either prevent or avert hijacks so far despite rigorous searching of millions of air travellers. It should be reserved for the "most likely to be a threat" not for aam admi or VIPs. Any reasonably trained security man can easily identify such potential threats who need to be frisked.To brand everyone as potential threats and frisk them is an insult to human beings which needs to be protested strongly.It has nothing to do with whether one is a VIP or who is qualified to be a VIP.I reiterate, that my objection is to physical frisking not any other form of nonintrusive baggage/ personal checks.

Since Dr. Kalam is a world citizen of high integrity andrespect, he will not be bothered by this issue. However,what the Continental Airlines have done to the formerPresident can not be justified in any term. As an ordinaryU.S. sr.citizen, I have been frisked at the security inNewark airport while flying Continental due to my foreignlook, but never been bothered by other Airlines.Is it a deliberate discriminatory practice they follow?

I salute Dr Kalam for his integrity and greatness. Compare this to Mayawati who makes her own statues and punishes anyone who even blinks at her. Here is something to think about.

Today I feel more proun of our EX-Pdresident that he has let the continental staff do their duty without any objection ,This dis a lesson that all vvipand vip 's of India should learn that we are all common people and should abide by the rule which applies to the common people as this is a democratic country .This rule should apply as an International law while checking then only we will not have any problem,or else fly on your own private airline. I think the muslims and the vvip/vip's are making more noise about this matter as they would like to be barred from checking .It would be great If our Ex-president congratulates the continental staff on his return for doing their job respectfully . I think this is a good example he has set for us.

And people who sit here n write saying everyman be treated equally will certainly not enjoy this treatment when he himslf becomes one - a VIP or VVIP tomorrow.

When a protocol is laid down not to frisk any VIP/VVIP, it should b strictly followed regardless of whether the politician is corrupt or a Bharat Ratan. That's not for us to decide and opine - and that's the reason why we all "Indians" are suffering today. We have too many conflicts among ourselves. Such pseduoism, hypocracy of adopting the western or the so called 'modern/broad mindedness' is not leading us anywhere but weakening a foundation going down fast. Unfortunately, our media is not factual but brings out a cult masquerading some of the most vicious intersts against this country. We are splitting, north vs south, india vs tamil nadu, hindu vs muslim vs christians, kashmir vs indians, serial blasts vs muthalik regime, schools vs madrassas, schedule casts vs christianity, general vs reserved, under-development vs super power, corruption vs bereaucracy, traditional vs modern, decency vs cool, bow vs licking, politicians vs educated, system vs govt, culture vs america, rupee vs $

Its time that we all do certain amount of introspection and see how we have led the rest of the world get on our backs. For examples - Like there r no ques for Arabs in Dubai. Like there is no firsking for Americans/Brits VVIPs/VIPs in the rest of the world. Like there is no frisking for ex-pats/visitors in indian offices. Like those guards in the offices greeting your white guest colleague while suspiciously lookin at u everyday. Like those 2 innocent indian merchant navy captains tried n jailed for 10 yrs in Korea for no fault. Like india submitting to strict sanctions during nuclear tests. Like indians giving too much hoot to pak's comfort in kashmir n terrorism issues. like hypocrytic indians presenting pink panties to muthalik to preserve a culture that doesnot exist. Like indians talking about equality of rights/humanity on blogs but themslvs wud fight with ppl who park cars in their lots. Like indians getting congress back to power. Like indians forgetting all serial blasts.

Why should anyone be exempted from the routine? It is this rule itself, which gives a feeling of low dignity when frisked. Right to equality implies directly that every person must be frisked irrespective of social/political status, and this must be an example to stating that there is no loss to dignity when frisked.

I am sorry to say people but I hardly agree with any of the comments placed up. There is no question on the dignity of the personnel but if we talk about right to equality then very really should mean it. Today it was Dr Kalam thats why it was hyped perhaps if it was any other minister with a little spot in character out of any small incident, I am sure nobody would have uttered a thing. Instead of making this as an issue better idea would be to pass such laws for all Indian inbound flights as well, bcoz when it comes to safety every nation have their policy.

At the outset, it is a very great share for us that this dark act was kept under wraps from us for three whole months. Dr.Abdul Kalam, our former President is a very great person. He is even greater than Mr.Clinton or Mr.Obama. His reaction to the unpardonable frisking operation on his person, so far, enhances and consifrms his high stature among world leaders. Under mounting criticism, to camoflage their unpardonable actions they have served a statement which is a non-appology, if examined threadbare. It seems they have only regreted our "misunderstanding / inconvenience" in their course of still unavoidable security sccaning, as per BCAS / TSA. hence, they still maintain that Dr.Abdul Kalam is not exempt from security checks. In defence they lamely say that this procedure (BCAS

This Indian Government will not take any action on the lady Aparna who talked the rules and regulations.She should be immediately expelled from India and the citizenship should be cancelled. We are suspecting whether this incident was carried out as per the instruction of this Government since they hate Tamilians

He allowed it to be done to him. Not that it makes the Airlines right, but AK should not have flown when asked to be frisked. Sometimes you have to demand respect - especially when they disregard your earning it

Hey guys why dont you all think a little bit, Did a American national frisked him. No. It was one of our own indian guys.If the airlines had given a guidelines then it would have been general for all the countries. It is upto the specific country manager to know the local rules and put in exceptions . But these guys have blindly followed the rule book and have just forgot to use their common sense . We should teach indian employees of the MNC's and other country companies that even thought they work for American Company or any other countries company since they are in India they need to follow the indian Law.

I do not findf anything offending in the mandatory security checks by the Airlines of all passengers irrespective of the status of the passenger. In fact , we need to learn from Israerl where even their Prime Ministers and Presidents have been subjected to security frisking at the Airports. Lets live with the reality that India is a victim of Terrorism and our casual security overview itself is to be blamed for the rising number of terror and naxalite related incidents. Our principle of only sitting like lame ducks after every terrorist attack and not doing anything shows our readiness and also eagerness to wait for another attack.Whenever our own former President has not objected to the frisking, then why others who think of themselves as VVIPs but are unfortunately good for nothing in the seats of Power.

Why the hell is there a law in our country that treats "VVIP's" any more importantly than citizens??Every citizen has a role to play in the functioning of the country ..... from a rag picker to Dr Kalam so everyone should be accorded equal respect and hence no VIP's, No VVIP's and NO VVVIP's..... i admire Dr Kalam but I think that a road side toilet cleaner is as respectable as Dr Kalam , We therefore need common rules for everyone and do away with all this VVIP system .............. and why the hell am i typing in english !! Oh , Its a english newspaper in a hindi speaking country i see........... didn't the english kill a lot of good indians in the 1940s??

Ofcourse this a unpardonable issue pertains to Dr.Kalam . why all this uproar in parliamnet???The MPs are scared,if the same happen to them !!!I think instead of all this,simply ban Continental Airlines and let our politicians look into other issues which our country is facing...

There is nothing wrong with the rules, but India should also have such rules with no exemptions.Check all US citizens even the presidents , expresidenta and all.Let no one escape from it.Let them also go through the security measures.There is no harm in it.

There is nothing wrong with the rules, but India should also have such rules with no exemptions.Check all US citizens even the president.Let no one escape from it.Let them also go through the security measures.There is no harm in it.

An ex president being frisked, happens only in india ...jai hoand Dr.Kalam you rock, while the world ranted on, you were and are the gentleman you are...

Dr Kalam is a personality who is towering above the rest and such personalities do not get perturbed by such routine stuff. It is small time politicians who throw their weight and many know about the "value" system of large number of our politicians.

DON'T FLY CONTINENTAL AIRLINES.

It looks like they took TSA crap mentality to INDIA. They reject racial profiling, if Indians checkin in any US airport, they profile you and frisk you. TSA policy is racist. We should get over with VVIP mentality. These useless crap MPs are also VVIPs,including the goons traveling with them.Why even if he is an expresident exempt from security checks,let alone this Garbage Gandhis and MPs.

The airline guidelines provided by the Indian govt. clearly states the norms and protocols to be adhered. It is outrageous

It is not surprising that every VVIP is outraged except for KalamJi. This clearly shows the class and culture of the man and the lack of that in the so-called VIPs and VVIPs. Who made these clowns VIPs in the first place? Despite all the talk about socialism and equality, India remains a country of the, by the and for the privilged. We have all seen in disgust garlanded, fat and shapeless VIP's pass us by with their sycophantic entourage while we wait patiently in any line be it at the airport, train station or bank. Is India a nation ruled by laws or by privileged men and women? Do we really miss the British royalty that much? India will not be a true Democracy and we will not be a truly liberated people until the shameful words VIP and VVIP are completely abandoned from our vocabulary and our national psyche.

I am sorry to say that, I think we INDIANS deserve treatment this and will continue to face this till we don't change our thinking towards pleasing "American dignity's". We act like dogs act on seeing the bone, so this was bound to happen. All these Mps are mad because they are feared that this might happen to them and they have to be ripped off. If they really were so upset and wanted to do something, Continental would have been banned by now with no exemption from Indian skies.