Convergence Divergence

We subscribe to the idea of long run convergence in the global political economy, but sometimes an incident reminds you of how far things still have to go. This one’s by way of India:

NEW DELHI (AP) — A police inquiry was launched Tuesday into employees from Continental Airlines after a former president of India was frisked before boarding a flight to the United States.

The airline’s staff violated a government order on protocol for dignitaries when former President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam was told to remove his shoes and scanned by a metal detector, Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel told Parliament.

Patel said airlines are given a list of Indian VIPs who should be exempt from searches.

“This act of frisking the former president … is absolutely unpardonable and beyond the scope of the laws of our country,” Patel told Parliament.

Lawmakers condemned the search of the 77-year-old Kalam as “outrageous.”

OK, not totally outlandish. After all, the guy’s flying commercial, unlike some of our ex-dignitaries. But here comes the scary part:

In a police complaint, the aviation ministry accused Continental’s staff of violating government directions, an aviation ministry statement said.

“If convicted, the staff members can be jailed for two years or fined 1 million rupees (US$20,830), or both,” said Moushmi Chakravarty, the ministry spokeswoman.

Wow!!! Up to two years jail time for inconveniencing someone? Apparently there’s yet another class of “Untouchables” in India…

DISCLOSURES: The foregoing is for informational purposes and/or entertainment only. It is not an offer to buy or a recommendation to sell any security, or to engage in any investment strategy. Some clients of Symmetry Capital Management, LLC hold securities issued by Continental Airlines.

URLs:

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/US-airline-probed-after-apf-1181104551.html?x=0&.v=1