Victoria Nuland, Spokesperson for the United States Department of State
Ludhiana, Punjab (January 24, 2012): Certain media reports have revealed that the United States officials have come to the defence of US television show host Jay Leno.
“While the US had “absolute respect” for the people of India, including Sikhs, “The Tonight Show” host’s comments “are constitutionally protected in the United States under free speech”, State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland is quoted to have told to the reporters on Monday, by IANS news agency.
Victoria Nuland further told media sections that the US had not had any communications from the Indian government on the controversial comments that have angered the Sikhs in the US.
“Well, I think that Mr. Leno would be appreciative – I hope he’ll be appreciative – if we make the point that his comments are constitutionally protected in the United States under free speech, and frankly, they appear to be satirical in nature.” she is quoted to have said by NDTV.
It is notable that visiting Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi had on Sunday asked the Indian Ambassador to the US Nirupama Rao to take up with the State Department the issue, featured on Leno’s show on 19 January, 2012. Vayalar Ravi’s remarks have brought the issue in debate.
“But from a US official government perspective, we have absolute respect for all the people of India, including Sikhs here, there,” she is shown to have saying in a news clip by IBNCNN.