Radio-hosts face backlash for calling NJ's Sikh Attorney "turban man"
Two radio hosts in the US, Dennis Malloy and Judi Franco, are facing severe backlash for referring to New Jersey's Sikh-American Attorney General Gurbir Grewal as the "turban man." They host the "Dennis and Judi Show" on the radio show NJ 101.5FM. The hosts were talking about Grewal's decision to suspend marijuana prosecutions when they began calling him "turban man." Here's more.
Malloy, Franco's conversation while mocking the Attorney General
"You know the Attorney-General? I'm never going to know his name, I'm just gonna say the guy with the turban," Malloy said. "Turban man!" Franco repeated in sing-song tone. "If it offends you, then don't wear the turban," Malloy said as both the hosts laughed. "But Turban Man, is that highly offensive?" "To me? No. To people who wear turbans, could be," said Franco.
Malloy, Franco's conversation while mocking the Attorney General
"Could be. But if you called me Baseball Hat Man and I was in a culture where no one wears baseball hats, should I be offended?" Malloy said. "Uh, no. I would say no," Franco replied. "So, anyway. The Attorney General - Turban Man - says he's not going to prosecute pot things until September," Malloy said, laughing during the conversation.
Comments by radio hosts were "abhorrent and xenophobic": NJ Governor
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, who had appointed Grewal, strongly condemned the language of the radio hosts, demanding action by the station. Murphy said he was outraged by the "abhorrent and xenophobic" comments of the radio hosts. Station management must hold the hosts accountable for these intolerant and racist comments, Murphy tweeted. The radio station tweeted that they have taken immediate action against them.
Hate speech has no place in New Jersey: Governor
Radio station NJ 101.5's reply
A Sikh-American asked radio hosts to educate themselves
Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla, also a Sikh-American who wears turban, tweeted, "Hey "Racist Man" @DennisandJudi : I'm a Jersey guy, born & raised, and so is NewJerseyOAG Grewal, this type of racist garbage has no place in Jersey. Get with the program! #RacistManDennis #jerseypride #educateyourself."
Grewal was born to Indian immigrant parents in Jersey City
Grewal, who was previously Bergen County Prosecutor, became the nation's first Sikh state Attorney General after the Senate approved his nomination this year. Grewal was born to Indian immigrant parents in Jersey City and was raised in the state's Hudson and Bergen counties. Twitter users too slammed the racist remarks saying there is no place for such language.
