NZ apologizes to India for 'insulting' remark
Source: Agencies |
October 9, 2010, Saturday
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NEW Zealand's foreign minister yesterday condemned a local television host's "insulting" comment on air about an Indian official's name that drew a complaint of racism from the South Asian nation.
Giggling uncontrollably, controversial presenter Paul Henry repeatedly mocked the last name of New Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit on the "Breakfast" show.
He also called her name "so appropriate because she's Indian."
To an untrained ear, Dikshit's last name sounds very similar to how it is spelled in English, though it has no vulgar connotations in Hindi.
Dikshit, the equivalent of a city mayor, stepped in to oversee much of the frenzied last-minute preparations for the Commonwealth Games now underway in the Indian capital.
Foreign Minister Murray McCully said yesterday he wants India to know that Henry's comments last week did not represent the view of most New Zealanders.
India "strongly and unequivocally denounces the racist remarks of the journalist in question," the government said in a formal protest to New Zealand High Commissioner Rupert Holborow.
Giggling uncontrollably, controversial presenter Paul Henry repeatedly mocked the last name of New Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit on the "Breakfast" show.
He also called her name "so appropriate because she's Indian."
To an untrained ear, Dikshit's last name sounds very similar to how it is spelled in English, though it has no vulgar connotations in Hindi.
Dikshit, the equivalent of a city mayor, stepped in to oversee much of the frenzied last-minute preparations for the Commonwealth Games now underway in the Indian capital.
Foreign Minister Murray McCully said yesterday he wants India to know that Henry's comments last week did not represent the view of most New Zealanders.
India "strongly and unequivocally denounces the racist remarks of the journalist in question," the government said in a formal protest to New Zealand High Commissioner Rupert Holborow.
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