MIDD DAY REPORTS :
Incensed officer at the Dubai International Airport confiscated her passport and threatened to deport her last week
After being detained at the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport for carrying jewellery worth Rs 50 lakh earlier this year, Minissha Lamba could be forgiven for thinking that her worst experience at an airport was behind her, but last Wednesday, all of it came back to haunt her.
When Lamba arrived at the Dubai International Airport last week, her passport was confiscated, an official rudely asked her to "shut up and sit (down)", and she was threatened with deportment. According to Lamba, the problem arose when an immigration officer asked the actor for her lodging details.
"Since I didn't remember my hotel-booking reference details, I asked an individual waiting for me outside the airport for the details. When I tried showing the details on my phone, the officer blew his top off and started to yell."
Lamba reportedly asked the officer to calm down, but the incensed officer asked her to shut up or get deported. When Lamba argued, the officer snatched away her passport and pointing to a chair nearby rudely asked her to "Go, sit there". A senior official tried to help the actress, but the officer reportedly refused to comply.
Lamba says, "He kept gesticulating and threatening me." Eventually, the senior official whisked her to his office, where her passport was returned. "When I return to Mumbai I will take this matter up with the authorities," says Lamba, adding in jest, "This has not been a good year for me at airports. Maybe I should travel by trains, until an astrologer says otherwise."
ABSOLUTE DISCRIMINATION. !!
I hope discrimination against Asians in the Gulf gets more coverage. Thank god in a way that this happened to a celebrity at least it shows how we Asian are treated in the Gulf.
This is the treatment to Indian Celebrity, if you are regular traveller you will realise how the other common Indians are treated. Dubai guys thinks every Indian is a labourer. Its extremely serious matter for Indian Government to look upon.
I vouch and challenge if they treat similarly to any US or UK citizen??
I have seen this happen personally many times as I live in the Gulf !! Unfortunetly the Gulf has no human rights body , so its not like Asians can complain anywhere. The discrimination in the Gulf is horrendous, I see it everyday. At least in the west you can fight against it but here no way.
India is full of discrimination , caste discrimination, religious discrimination, and yes people from the north east also get some discrimination but not as much as say if you are a muslim or a low caste etc. I have been to Dubai , 7 times , I agree customs officers can be rude, but you have to have your plans chalked out , there is no time for mmmm and aaahhh.
ReplyDeleteI am seeing this more as a result of an individual personality problem rather than a racial issue. He needs to get himself and his life together. Taking out his own frustration and stress on passengers. This is how one individual's unresolved issues get poured on to the next person, the next victim.
ReplyDeleteI highly doubt he was 'threatening' her - some 'celebs' think they are royalty and are untouchable.
ReplyDeleteShe probably had a bad experience. But it is also just as probable she is drawing the long bow here.
Never had any dramas in Dubai and I've been and stayed about 8 times
This is nothing new in the middleeast.It becomes such a big news when celebrities face problems.But ordinary people face such issues in day to day life living in gulf.
ReplyDeleteThose who question Minisha Lamba's accusations have not either lived or gone through the height of discrimination by Arabs in Dubai towards Indians. This was not the came before until Western population flowed into the country. Dubai was built not by it's oil supply, but by a large population of Indian population since 1973. In fact, Rupee was the currency that was first used by UAE before Dirham was introduced. Till today, Indians represent majority of the population and hold the largest businesses in the country. After the influx of western populations, Indians are seen as inferior; although they are far more educated and experienced people not only in the region, but in the world; that's a fact. Since the country's construction boom, large no. of Indian laborers found jobs in the region. Many international and private rights group have filled up secret investigation reports of injustice, discrimination, torture and cruelty against these workers. Even in 2011, Indian consulate general confirmed that every 2 weeks, an Indian commits suicide in UAE due to ill-treatment by employers and debts. International human rights have just released reports but never done anything to stop injustice. Hence, the development of psychology of Arabs that they are free to do anything and treat Indians like the way they want-which is in every way discriminating. Till date, Indian employees are paid 10% of what a western or arab employee gets (despite being more experienced and educated). It is evident that Skin works in Dubai more than skills. So why such a long description about discrimination in UAE? It is for people and the Indian government to see the darkness behind this city of gold and do something about it.
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