January 26, 2012 11:43 AM

Jay Leno takes heat over "Tonight Show" Sikh sketch

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Television ,
Celebrity

Jay Leno speaks onstage at The 2011 ESPY Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on July 13, 2011 in Los Angeles.

(Credit: Getty)
(CBS/AP) Sparks continue to fly over a recent Jay Leno skit. British lawmakers say Prime Minister David Cameron should complain to the United States over a Leno routine that joked about the holiest site in the Sikh religion.

On the Jan. 19 episode of "The Tonight Show," Leno showed a photo of an impressive gold building and joked that it was Republican Mitt Romney's summer home. The site was actually the Golden Temple, a revered Sikh site.

In a motion published at Parliament on Thursday, two legislators said Leno had shown a complete misunderstanding of the Sikh faith. British opposition Labour Party lawmakers Virendra Shrama and John McDonnell proposed a motion demanding Cameron call on the U.S. to show more respect toward Sikhs. The move does not compel Cameron to take any action.

Leno is also causing a stir stateside. TMZ reports the 61-year-old host is now being sued by a man in California named Dr. Randeep Dhillon, who argues the comedian is spreading hatred and ridicule of his religion.

Earlier in the week, U.S. State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said Leno was excercising his freedom of speech in the TV sketch.

"I hope [Leno will] be appreciative if we make the point that his comments are constitutionally protected in the United States under free speech and, frankly, they appeared to be satirical in nature," Nuland told reporters, according to the BBC.

"Our view is obviously that Sikh Americans have contributed greatly to the United States," she added.

Tell us: What do you think about Leno's remarks?


Add a Comment
by matttt4 January 27, 2012 1:37 AM EST
The guy suing is obviously an oppprtunist and not a particularly bright one. His lawsuit doesn't stand a chance and anyone who has lived more than a summer in this country can tell you that. It isn't exactly on its way up to the Supreme Court.

And the people who are offended don't get it. I've traveled all over the world and I love learning about different cultures. I'll admit that Americans can be ignorant of the world sometimes, but you encounter blind and ignorant hatred of America everywhere you go too. People with virtually no knowledge of our culture or politics will attack our humor and leaders. When you correct them on basic things (how many times have I had to explain Stephen Colbert isn't serious?!) they become upset and just accuse you of being another ignorant American. Or when they tell you that you're one of the "Good Americans", they wonder why you're mad that they just dismissed all your friends and family in a backhanded compliment?

It goes both ways. People are way too sensitive to everything we say and do and way too quick to interpret malice. It is an American comedy program aimed at an American audience. The joke was that it was a fancy house and Mitt Romney is rich. Get it? Ha ha, now let's move on.
Reply to this comment
by Gurcharan_5ingh January 26, 2012 6:22 PM EST
Lets look at it seriously & impartially.It was a small stil and a passing joke , that I, as a Sikh would have not taken much notice of in ordinary times. But given the times many find it easy to single out Sikhs and associate them with the taliban and then take pot shots at them, in the course having killed a number ; then shows the dangerous aspects of this so called jokes! The ingrained racist mentality of the Americans does not help them from exposing their own true picture instead of trying to rationalise it fairly.

However, what I have found VERY concerning is the manner in which the INDIAN government has jumped into the affray and made a mountain out of the molehill.Yet this is the SAME government of India that has protected the culprits responsible for the MASS SIKH GENOCIDE of 1984 and pretends it never happened.This is the same Goverment that remained absolutely silent on the issue of the turban in France and Italy, or perhaps offered lip service.However , in this matter it has flapped its wings so wildly that I have become very suspicious of its honesty and intentions.But sadly, most Sikhs remain oblivion to that fact, and are shouting hurt! What most have failed to realise is that should this whole matter go wrong for the Sikhs, it is not India that will have to pick up the pieces, but the Sikh community of US.

It is also very well exposed that when I made jokes of the Americans, THEY TOO failed to see the humour they are so busy suggesting that Sikhs should see.One should have seen the limited moronic vocabulary with open racist jibes they were throwing and suddenly the humour was lost, when the shoes were firmly on the other foot.Reminding the Americans, US too has been partcipant in large scale genocides of nations and people suddenly lost the lustre of the jokes they so much enjoy!

WHAT level headed Sikhs are asking is that be sensitive and do not offer any more ammunition to the racist thugs who blindly associate Sikhs with taliban and use such humour to energise themselves to then take pot shots at Sikhs going about their legitimate business in the states.

Secondly, I don't think Jay should have associated a house of prayers with the dirty elections of the US.Religion is above politics, but he connacted the two together quite ignorantly.He had no right to do that.

The matter does not appear to abate currently, Jay and NBC silenence , suggests perhaps they have belatedly realised their folly; but do not know how to rectify the situation, without loosing their "face" as they say in Mandarin.Sikhs respect and adore the 1st ammendment, but in such sensitive period where racist thugs exist, every decent person has to excercise responsbility and sensibility, taking into consideration that there different cultures etc around.US's pot of honey can never be everybody's pot of honey; it may be poison to others! As Sikhs have been victims of racist shootings, one cannot blame them for the way they have reacted, and as world's policeman, US has responsibilty to bring this to an amicable closure without futher prolonging the matter.As much as I appreciate the UK lawmakers, I think it is best if they help heal the matter for all, rather than complicate it.I wonder how long can we discuss this matter civilly withoutthe racists again taking bait and starting their jibes.Asking anyone to be sensible in tuberlent times is not curtailing anyone's right to free speech, it has be two way respected and accepted.
Reply to this comment
by Gurcharan_5ingh January 26, 2012 6:09 PM EST
Lets look at it seriously & impartially.It was a small stil and a passing joke , that I, as a Sikh would have not taken much notice of in ordinary times. But given the times many find it easy to single out Sikhs and associate them with the taliban and then take pot shots at them, in the course having killed a number ; then shows the dangerous aspects of this so called jokes! The ingrained racist mentality of the Americans does not help them from exposing their own true picture instead of trying to rationalise it fairly.

However, what I have found VERY concerning is the manner in which the INDIAN government has jumped into the affray and made a mountain out of the molehill.Yet this is the SAME government of India that has protected the culprits responsible for the MASS SIKH GENOCIDE of 1984 and pretends it never happened.This is the same Goverment that remained absolutely silent on the issue of the turban in France and Italy, or perhaps offered lip service.However , in this matter it has flapped its wings so wildly that I have become very suspicious of its honesty and intentions.But sadly, most Sikhs remain oblivion to that fact, and are shouting hurt! What most have failed to realise is that should this whole matter go wrong for the Sikhs, it is not India that will have to pick up the pieces, but the Sikh community of US.

It is also very well exposed that when I made jokes of the Americans, THEY TOO failed to see the humour they are so busy suggesting that Sikhs should see.One should have seen the limited moronic vocabulary with open racist jibes they were throwing and suddenly the humour was lost, when the shoes were firmly on the other foot.Reminding the Americans, US too has been partcipant in large scale genocides of nations and people suddenly lost the lustre of the jokes they so much enjoy!

WHAT level headed Sikhs are asking is that be sensitive and do not offer any more ammunition to the racist thugs who blindly associate Sikhs with taliban and use such humour to energise themselves to then take pot shots at Sikhs going about their legitimate business in the states.

Secondly, I don't think Jay should have associated a house of prayers with the dirty elections of the US.Religion is above politics, but he connacted the two together quite ignorantly.He had no right to do that.

The matter does not appear to abate currently, Jay and NBC silenence , suggests perhaps they have belatedly realised their folly; but do not know how to rectify the situation, without loosing their "face" as they say in Mandarin.Sikhs respect and adore the 1st ammendment, but in such sensitive period where racist thugs exist, every decent person has to excercise responsbility and sensibility, taking into consideration that there different cultures etc around.US's pot of honey can never be everybody's pot of honey; it may be poison to others! As Sikhs have been victims of racist shootings, one cannot blame them for the way they have reacted, and as world's policeman, US has responsibilty to bring this to an amicable closure without futher prolonging the matter.As much as I appreciate the UK lawmakers, I think it is best if they help heal the matter for all, rather than complicate it.I wonder how long can we discuss this matter civilly withoutthe racists again taking bait and starting their jibes.Asking anyone to be sensible in tuberlent times is not curtailing anyone's right to free speech, it has be two way respected and accepted.
Reply to this comment
by kansas1946 January 26, 2012 5:27 PM EST
Religious freaks, no matter what faith, just sit around waiting for someone to insult them so they can moan and wail. Very tiresome.
Reply to this comment
by VikramRao1975 January 26, 2012 3:55 PM EST
Take it easy guys, he didnt mean anything bad by it, whats with everyone becoming so sensitive ? I fail to see where he made a mockery of anything, its just a joke (and its not in poor taste either). People will latch themselves onto anything to get their 15 minutes of fame, no matter how ridiculous it sounds.
Reply to this comment
by manindersinghchopra January 26, 2012 1:41 PM EST
U have hurt our feelings by making mockery of Golden Temple
Reply to this comment
by jmrtsus January 26, 2012 12:16 PM EST
It was a JOKE already!!!!!!!! I'm sure not many people know what this building is except the Sikhs. LET IT GO!
Reply to this comment
by Gurcharan_5ingh January 26, 2012 5:34 PM EST
Lets look at it seriously partially.It was a small stil and a passing joke , that I as a Sikh would have not taken much notice of in ordinary times. But given the times many find it easy to single out Sikhs and associate them with the taliban and then take pot shots at them, in the course having killed a number ; then shows the dangerous aspects of this so called jokes!The ingranaied racist mentality of the Americans does not help them from exposing their own true picture instead of trying to rationalise it faily.

However, what I have found VERY concerning is the manner in which the INDIAN government has jumped into the affray and made a mountain out of the molehill.Yet this is the SAME government of india that has protected the culprits of the MASS SIKH GENOCIDE of 1984 and pretends it never happened.This is the same Govermnet that remained absolutely silent on the issue of the turban in France and Italy, or perhaps offered lip service.However , in this matter it has fallped its wings so wildly that I have become very suspicious of its honesty and intentions.But sadly,Most Sikhs remain oblivion to that fact, and are shouting hurt!What most have failed to realise is that should this whole matter go wrong for the Sikhs, it is not India that will have to pick up the pieces, but the small Sikh community of US.It is also very well documented that when I made jokes of the americans, THEY TOO failed to see the humour they are so busy suggesting that Sikhs should see.One should have seen the limited moronic vocabulary with open racist jibes they were throwing and suddenly the humour was lost, when the shoes was firmly on the other foot.Reminding the Americans, US too has been partcipant in large scale genocides of nations and people suddenly lost the lutre of the jokes they so much enjoy!

WHAT level heaed Sikhs are asking is that please be sensitive and do not offer any more ammunition to the racist thugs who blindly associate Sikhs with taliban to use such humour to take pot shots at Sikhs going about their legitimate business in the states.Secondly,I don't think Jay should have associated a house of prayers with the dirty elections of the US.Religion is above politics, but he connacted the two together quite ignorantly.He had no right to do that.

The matter does not appear to abate currently,Jay and NBC has also remained silent, suggests perhaps they have belatedly realsised their folly. but do not know how to rectify the situation, without loosing their "face" as they say in mandarin.Siikhs respect and adore the 1st ammendment, but in such sensitive everybody has to excercise it with responsbility and sesnibly, taking into consideration that there different culture etc.US's pot of honey can never be everybody's pot of honey; it may be poison to others!As sikhs have been victims of racist shootings, one cannot balme them for the way they have reacted, and as world's policeman, US must bring this to an amicable close with futher prolonging the matter.As much as I appreciate the UK lawmakers, I think it is best if they hgelp heal the matter for all.
.
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