US speaks on the detaining of Shah Rukh Khan at New York airport

Following India’s refusal to accept an apology from the US for the detention of Bollywood superstar, Shah Rukh Khan, a spokesperson from the State Department has spoken and referred to the incident as a ‘simple delay’ rather than a case of detention.

According to the Hindustan Times, Mark Toner spoke to reporters on Friday and said, “Obviously, we’ve expressed our regret about the incident and recognize that he’s a very renowned artist and humanitarian”. Toner continued in stating that the actor was temporarily delayed at the airport and was quick to disregard a remark that it was due to racial profiling, “The fact of the matter is tens of thousands of Muslims travel to and from the United States every day and are not detained or delayed.” Toner also��suggested that to abstain from future such encounters, travellers could alert an embassy of their status.

It is thought that Khan was unable to disembark off the aircraft and one explanation being offered is that the problem was indeed with the aircraft rather than with Khan. The consulate general is rumoured to have gotten involved after he was made aware��that Khan was��still being questioned half an hour after��the aircraft’s��arrival.