Comedian Jay Leno sued by Sikh after comparing presidential candidate Mitt Romney's vacation home with holiest Golden Temple



Late night comedian Jay Leno has been targeted in a new lawsuit after comparing the holiest Sikh shrine, the Golden Temple of Amritsar, to Mitt Romney's vacation home.

The remark during a skit on the 'Tonight Show with Jay Leno,' when the TV host introduces 'a behind the scenes look at all the presidential candidates' homes was condemned by India.

But religious organiser Dr Randeep Dhillon, from California, has gone a step further, claiming Leno libelled the Sikh religion with his offence.

Scroll down for video



Facing litigation: Jay Leno made the remark on January 19 during a skit on the 'Tonight Show with Jay Leno,' when the TV host introduces 'a behind the scenes look at all the presidential candidates'

According to court documents filed in Los Angeles Superior Court on Tuesday obtained by TheWrap, Mr Dhillon, who does business as Bol Punjabi All Regions Community Organization, claims Leno 'hurt the sentiments of all Sikh people in addition to those of the plaintiff' with the joke.

He also claims the remark 'clearly exposes plaintiff, other sikhs and their religion to hatred, contempt, ridicule and obloquy because it falsely portrays the holiest place in the Sikh religion as a vacation resort owned by a non-Sikh'.

Mr Dhillon is suing for general and punitive damages.

The video in question, broadcast on 19 January, goes on to show Newt Gingrich's home in Virginia, Ron Paul's house in Texas and then says: 'Here's a look at Mitt Romney's summer home on Lake Winnipesaukee.'

An image flashes up on the screen of the Golden Temple of Amritsar, which is met by audience laughter and clapping.

Holy: When the voice over says 'Here's a look at Mitt Romney's summer home on Lake Winnipesaukee,' an image of the holiest Sikh shrine, the Golden Temple of Amritsar flashed up on screen

The golden temple: Mr Dhillon claims the joke 'falsely portrays the holiest place in the Sikh religion as a vacation resort owned by a non-Sikh'

Mr Romney faced taxation questions over his huge wealth and many Sikhs are angry the temple has been depicted as a place for the rich.

The Republican presidential candidate revealed this week he expects to pay 15.4 per cent on $20.8million in 2011. Most of Romney's income is made from capital gains on investments.

The joke as previously come under fire, with an Indian minister calling the comments 'objectionable'.

Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi told reporters: 'It is quite unfortunate and quite objectionable that such a comment has been made after showing the Golden Temple.'

Mr Ravi said the Indian embassy would take up the matter with the US state department, the Press Trust of India reported.

He said: 'The Golden Temple is the Sikh community's most sacred place... The American government should also look at this kind of thing.

The real deal: Mitt Romney's summer home on Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire

Taxes: Mitt Romney revealed this week he expects to pay 15.4 per cent on $20.8million in 2011

'Freedom does not mean hurting the sentiments of others... This is not acceptable to us and we take a very strong objection for such a display.'

In response the members of the US Sikh community have now launched an online petition, called 'Stop defaming Sikhs and using derogatory remarks against the Sikh shrines.'

Over 3,700 people have added their names to support the cause.

The petition says Leno has been guilty of derogatory comments about Sikhs before and that 'Jay Leno's racist comments need to be stopped right here'.

Simran Kaur, a petition signatory wrote: 'Jay Leno must apologise and promise not to make any direct or oblique references to Sikhs or their places of worship.'

The petition group also state that they have put in calls to the NBC offices in New York and California.

Neither NBC nor Jay Leno had issued comment on the case at press time.

Watch video here





