[VIDEO] India 'objects' to Jay Leno's remark on Sikh Golden Temple

After the recent furore over the controversial episode of the BBC programme Top Gear, in which India was subjected to 'toilet humour', India has strongly "objected" to a remark made about one of India's most iconic religious landmarks by popular US television host Jay Leno.
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/hard-talk/37924-video-india-objects-jay-lenos-remark.html

Leno, host of the " The Tonight Show", flashed a picture of the Golden Temple in Amritsar on his programme and termed it as a 'possible summer home of Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney.'
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=37924



The remark was picked up by American-Indian community leaders and visiting Non Resident Indian affairs minister Vayalar Ravi yesterday "objected" to the remark.

"It is quite unfortunate and quite objectionable that such a comment has been made after showing the...Golden temple," Ravi told Indian media.

"[The] Golden temple is [the] Sikh community's most sacred place. Even our Prime Minister went there for praying in the New Year. I believe that the person who has shown [this] is not that ignorant. The American Government should also look at this kind of thing," he said.

"I wish this kind of thing is not shown by any media in the US," Ravi said, adding that he has not seen the show personally and has heard about it from the Sikh community in the US who were outraged. There are around 600,000 Sikhs in the US.

"Freedom does not mean hurt the sentiments of others... This is not acceptable to us and we take a very strong objection for such a display of an important place like Golden temple," Ravi said.

"The embassy is fully aware of it and they will take it up," he said. He added he has directed Indian Ambassador to the US, Nirupama Rao, to take up the matter with the US State Department.

An online petition has been started against Leno a Facebook page was created to express their anger against him. The page is believed to have only have 8 Likes. However similar groups have been launched.

http://www.blottr.com/breaking-news/...-golden-temple

 
Do share your immediate thoughts or reactions on this issue? We value your views! Login Now! or Sign Up Today! to share your views with us.. Gurfateh!

__________________

Thanks for sharing, I gotta find that episode.

Just how precious should we be? Being able to rise above such and being gracious is, in my view, what Sikhi is about, it would show the world we are a bit more enlightened than our chest beating and effigy burning brothers, which brings another point, where do these people get these effigies so quickly from? Is there a shop, 'effigies are us', that stock all the things you need for a good chest beating display of anger in some secret part of the neighbourhood?

Effegies r us? HOLY COW THAT IS THE FUNNIEST THING I'VE HEARD ALL DAY.

I have been thinking about this, as well. I have watched Jay Leno for many years. No one is safe from his "wit." He makes fun of everybody and everything. Nothing is outside of the pale of his comedy. We did not object when he made fun of the Vatican or for the myriad things he has said about Muslims. To be honest, I'm certain he meant no more or less disrespect toward Sikhs than he has for everyone else.

Yes, of course, we should demand an apology and we will probably get one. He's a comedian out to make people laugh, not to hurt people's sensitivities.

A thought: If we go ballistic about this, how are we going to react when South Park gets around to us? They will eventually, you know. They've taken on everybody from the Christians to the Scientologists and they are ongoingly hard on the Jews. (One of the writers is Jewish.) Yes, they've hit at the Hindus and Buddhists, as well. They have made fun of the poor, the handicapped, people with AIDS, even the 9-11 attacks. At some point, unless the show is cancelled, which it won't be because it's very popular, they will take notice of Sikhs. What will we do?
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=37924

We will laugh and show the world that we can take a joke Bhenji, and people will always remember it was the Sikhs that took it on the chin, laughed at it, and carried on doing what they do well, having a sense of humour....

I have no idea why that comment was offensive. Does it have something to do with Romney?

Romney is not showing his tax records or something and is rumored to have a lot of money!

I think in a perverse way it raises the visibility of Sikhs in USA. By the way for decades I saw Tibetan monks and like getting free food and support around Harmandir Sahib so I am sure it can accommodate Mitt Romney as well . He just has to sustain on "Dall and Phulka/ Pulses and leavened bread". Probably some of the Nihangs around can Ghot/crush some Shardaee for him to lighten his mood for the loss in South Carolina (apparently Iowa too after all was counted in).
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=37924
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=37924

Sat Sri Akal.

Yes, Sikhi could teach him a lot if he'd listen. Romney, I mean. Leno, too, if it comes to that.

I think this whole to-do is just a bit silly. Jay Leno is an insensitive clod, but he's a very funny insensitive clod and lots of people, including me, laugh at his monologues and headlines and Jay-walking.

I continue to wait for the South Park attack. I'm curious if we'll show any maturity. To be totally honest, I wonder how I'll feel. I'm sure I won't go ballistic, I just wonder what it'll feel like.