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NBC Entertainer Jay Leno’s derogatory remark about Darbar Sahib sparks strong wave of criticism

January 21, 2012 | By Sikh Siyasat Bureau

New York, USA (January 21, 2011): Sikhs have taken strong exception to Jay Leno’s remark about holiest of holy, Sri Darbar Sahib (Amritsar), commonly known as the Golden Temple of Amritsar. Leon and his associates passed a remark about Darbar Sahib a show titled “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” aired by NBC channel on 19th of January, 2012. They showed an illuminated picture of Sri Darbar Sahib and announced to the world that this was the summer home of Republican Party hopeful, Mitt Romney. Romney, a rich businessman – politician, is under fire these days for amassing wealth and paying lesser taxes. This derogatory depiction of Sri Darbar Sahib, as the home of rich, is contrary to the reality and hurtful to the sentiments of the Sikhs.

Keeping in view the sacred importance and the history of Sri Darbar Sahib, Sikhs of America have protested en-masses by calling up the studios of “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” and voicing their concern. Calls have also been placed at the NBC offices in New York and San Jose, California.

“This is not the first time that this show host has targeted Sikhs in his monologue. Previously, in 2007 he called Sikhs ‘diaper heads.’ In 2010, he remarked, falsely so, in his monologue that President Obama could not visit Sri Darbar Sahib because of requirements of wearing a turban. Clearly, Jay Leno’s racist comments need to be stopped right here” Bhai Harjot Singh Khalsa, who has created a Facebook Group called “Boycott Jay Leno (For Derogatory remarks about Golden Temple)” has informed.

An online petition is also started by Bhai Harjot Singh Khasla to send a strong message that the sentiments of Sikhs worldwide are off limits to his monologues and cannot be used further his TV ratings.

“The Right to Speech under the First Amendment to the United States Constitution excludes defamation and spreading hate, incitement and false advertising” adds the petition.

It is notable that Punjabi Radio USA is playing a vital role in organizing the campaign, especially in USA.

An overview of relative activity on various social media networks (including facebook & twitter) show that there is worldwide wave of criticism as the infamous remarks have outraged feelings of the Sikhs.

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Related Topics: Darbar Sahib, Facebook, Harjot Singh Khalsa, Jay Leno, NBC, Punjabi Radio USA, Sikh Diaspora

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