Wellington: A day after New Zealand TV host Paul Henry was forced to resign after he made racist remarks against Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, another anchor, this time a radio jockey has come under fire for calling New Zealand Governor General Sir Anand Satyanand, a large fat man. Anand is a person of Indian origin. (Read: New Zealand TV anchor quits amid uproar over Sheila remark | Read full statement)
The jockey Micheal Laws then goes on to say, "I don't know why but just on an Indian it seems slightly incongruous. I mean, we don't all expect Indians to be begging on the streets of New Delhi, but it's like Anand discovered the buffet table at 20 and never really left it." (Read: Racial slur against Indian-origin official in New Zealand)
In fact, the radio station is standing by Laws' comments saying they weren't meant to be racist, just personal comments.
Paul Henry had made racist remarks against Sir Anand Satyanand too. Later, he apologised for his remarks. He said, "I sincerely apologise to the Governor General, Sir Anand Satyanand, for any offence I may have caused." Henry was suspended for making the comments.
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The Paul Henry episode caused a diplomatic row, and a shocked India summoned New Zealand High Commissioner Rupert Holborow to register its protest. External Affairs Minister SM Krishna said he had expressed "deep regret" and described the comments as "culturally insensitive, inappropriate and vulgar". (Read: India slams NZ TV anchor's 'racist' Dikshit remarks)
The New Zealand envoy apologized for the racist remarks made by the talk show host. (Read: New Zealand envoy apologises for anchor's racial slur on Sheila)
Rupert Holborow said, "As New Zealand's High Commissioner to India, I would like to convey my deep regret for the hurt these comments have caused...these remarks were culturally insensitive, inappropriate and vulgar. They reflect the views of only one media commentator (who has already been censored for other racist and unacceptable comments), and certainly not the New Zealand Government or people." (Read full statement)