US defends Jay Leno's remarks on Golden Temple

Amid controversy over popular television host Jay Leno's remarks on the Golden Temple, the US has defended his right to free speech terming his comments as "satirical" while applauding contributions of Sikh-Americans.

"I think that Leno would 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," State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland told media persons.

"But from a US official government perspective, we have absolute respect for all the people of India, including Sikhs here, there," she said.

President Barack Obama was the first US President ever to host a celebration in honour of Guru Nanak, who is the first Sikh guru, she noted.

"You know, our view is obviously that Sikh Americans have contributed greatly to the United States," Nuland said.

She was responding to a question on the recent remarks on the Golden Temple by Leno, the host of the popular The Tonight Show on NBC channel.

In the show, telecast on January 19, Leno showing a picture of the Golden Temple, the holiest Sikh shrine, had termed it as a possible summer home of Mitt Romney, a leading Republican presidential hopeful.

His comments have resulted in an outrage in the small but strong Sikh community here. They have launched an online petition against Leno and started a Facebook page to express their anger against the television host.

India has said it will be taking up the issue of Leno's remarks about Amritsar's Golden Temple with the US authorities and observed that most of the late night shows in America are "flippant".

"The late night talk shows are flippant most of the time in the US," External Affairs Minister S M Krishna said in New Delhi.

He, however, said talk show hosts should be "extremely sensitive to the sensitivities of religious group" within their country and outside.

Krishna said his ministry will ask the Indian Ambassador to the US to take up the issue with the authorities.

Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi, who was in the US, had "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 a group of Indian reporters.