Indian Show Attracts Worldwide Criticism for attacking Olympic Torch Bearer Fauja Singh

Update: Jay Hind Offers “Unconditional” Apology

LONDON, UK—The attack on Bhai Fauja Singh by the “Jay Hind” Show Host Sumeet Raghvan has attracted criticism by Sikhs and non-Sikhs alike living across the world.  Although the show is humorous in nature, the comical depiction of Fauja Singh demonstrates how Sikhs are treated by Indian Media.  For years, Bollywood movies and India soap operas have mocked Sikhs and portrayed turban wearing citizens of India as comical characters.  The story was the same for “Jay Hind” in which a mockery was made of 101 year old marathon runner and Olympic Torch Bearer,  Bhai Fauja Singh.

It is important to mention that the host Sumeet Raghvan used very derogatory language towards the marathon runner Bhai Fauja Singh.  Raghvan goes on and states that Fauja Singh is on the run ever since 1984 and, post 9/11, he has been running from the Americans.  Such jokes  that equate an elderly personality with terrorism have been met with strong criticism throughout social media networks.  The “jokes” are being termed racist as they are not even sparing sensitive topics such as the year 1984 that saw genocide of Sikhs throughout India, or 9/11 which saw the death of 3,000 innocent civilians at the hands of terrorists.

The YouTube footage from the Jay Hind show has been removed but the official fan page is continuing to generate rage.  The host even made a comment that being operated from the United States, the TV show has rights to sue individuals in USA, Canada and England for any “hateful” comments.  This is the type of hypocrisy being shown by the TV hosts who do not shy away from mocking others, but when they themselves are met with criticism, they threaten legal action.

Fauja Singh, a 101 year old Sikh marathon runner has achieved many awards and recognitions.  He has served as an inspiration to many around the world.  Despite being an icon of Sikhs and a public figure in many countries, Indian media has not honoured him.  On top of this, the recent “racist attacks” on Fauja Singh once again demonstrate the negative propaganda being done to undermine the Sikhs.

The video footage from Jay Hind was telecasted by Sikh Channel, UK and is being displayed here –

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-uPlz0fZruA

21 COMMENTS

  1. You know, living in North America,I watched the news coverage of the shooting at the Wisconsin Gurdwara. If some American comedy show suddenly was to show Sikhs hiding in Gurdwaras or running from white supremacist shooters and represent that as a joke with lots of laughing, you can be sure the whole nation would rise up and would not tolerate it- America is not such a low down and injust nation where it would be allowed. I think the “jokes” about Fauja Singh and Moslems running from supremacist Hindus out to kill minorities is just the same as the scenario described above. By the way, I just want to tell you, organizations representing Chinese-Americans and Japanese-Americans have also started a fund for the victims of the Gurdwara shooting including the injured policeman Brian Murphy.

  2. I was most offended and hurt. It is hate speech. What he did is equivalent to making a joke about a Jewish person running from a nazi or others who slaughtered them. In a way I am glad that the goon did make this joke because it illustrates very clearly just what the majority community of India belives, that it is ok for minorities to be slaughtered and to make fun of it.India is one of the worst human rights abusers in the world. I am just sorry that Sikhs chose to stay with India. It reminds me of wha Winston Churchill said, that the feet of Sikhs would be cut off doing this. They have been. If Sikhs have feet anywhere it is outside of India.

  3. In the world of comedy, there is a 6 year rule. You cannot poke fun at any world event before the 6 year date or else it is considered bad taste. I understand that many Sikh people were hurt and killed in 1984, but so were people of many other religions, including Hindus. Instead of being upset at the whole world and demanding apologies from everyone who mentions you in a way you do not like, please learn to take a joke. Yes, Bollywood movies have Sikh comic characters, just like Hollywood movies have fat and nerdy people as comic characters. Hollywood movies also call Jews Cheap, just like Indians joke that Guju`s are cheap. Black people are also considered poor, gangsters, drug-loving, people-killing, heartless `pieces of shit` in movies, but you don`t see them getting their panties in a bunch over every movie that ever comes out. I beg you to have some light-heartedness and not take every joke so seriously, you are only shortening your own lifes span by putting stress on your heart.

    • You don’t seem to understand that events like Operation Bluestar, 9/11 destruction of the Twin Towers are not jokes in any form or matter from which jokes can be formed. There is not a single comedian who makes a joke about 9/11 and it happened more than 6 years ago now. No comedian makes a joke about what happened to the Jews in extermination camps in Germany in the 1940’s. No sane or popular comedian makes a joke about any of these events because its utterly distasteful and inhumane to do so. Yes, even comedians have a sense of humanity. I hope you do understand what humanity and being humane is.

  4. ਸਾਨੂੰ ਵੀਡੀਓ ਵੇਖ ਕੇ ਬਹੁਤੀ ਹੈਟਾਨੀ ਨਹੀਂ ਹੋਈ, ਹਿੰਦੂਆਂ ਹਿਟਲਰਾਂ ਕੋਲੋਂ ਇਹੋ ਉਮੀਦ ਕੀਤੀ ਜਾ ਸਕਦੀ ਹੈ। ਹਿਟਲਰ ਦੀ ਸੋਚ ਨਸਲਕੁਸ਼ੀ ਨਾਲ ਭਰਪੂਰ ਸੀ ਤੇ ਹਿੰਦੂ ਹਿਟਲਰ ਦੇ ਬਹੁਤ ਨੇੜੇ ਤੇੜੇ ਹੀ ਫਿਰਦੇ ਹਨ। ਇਸ ਕਰਕੇ ਇਹ ਸਵਾਸਤਿਕ ਦੀ ਪੂਜਾ ਕਰਦੇ ਹਨ, ਹਿਟਲਰ ਵੀ ਕਰਦਾ ਸੀ। ਸਾਨੂੰ ਸਿੱਖਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਦੋਸਤ ਤੇ ਦੁਸ਼ਮਣ ਦੀ ਚੰਗੀ ਤਰਾਂ ਪਛਾਣ ਕਰਨ ਦੀ ਲੋੜ ਹੈ ਤੇ ਘਬਰਾਣ ਦੀ ਲੋੜ ਨਹੀਂ। ਭਾਈ ਫੌਜਾ ਸਿੰਘ ਦੀ ਮਹਾਨਤਾ ਜ਼ਹਿਰੀਲੇ ਹਿੰਦੂ ਨਹੀਂ ਘਟਾ ਸਕਦੇ। ਹਾਘਵਨ ਵਰਗੇ ਕੁੱਤੇ ਬਿਲੇ ਤੇ ਗਿੱਦੜ ਤਾਂ ਕਦੇ ਵੀ ਨਹੀਂ। ਸੋ ਖਫਾ ਹੋਣ ਨਾਲੋਂ ਆਪਣੇ ਆਪ ਨੂੰ ਗਿਆਨ ਵਾਨ ਬਣਾਉਣ ਦੀ ਲੋੜ ਹੈ….

  5. I think this guy is Mentally Retarded because if he knew what a Sikh is , he would never had the guts to make a comic out of them. He doesnt know what this will cost him.

  6. Oh God, when will these Hindu’s learn? They are trapped in India, unaware of the accomplishments and distances that the Sikh’s have achieved in countries like America and Canada. When we reach the top, we still chose to represent India, but for what? For discrimination like this? Grow up Hindus. I agree with Shabnam, regardless of our religion, we all reserve and uphold tremendous respect to our elders. How dare he make such attacks on an entire religion. He’s going to sue is he? Well, we shall see how many people he can sue after the hate e-mails, death threats, and possibly the beatings he is going to receive from this.

  7. this is bad taste in comedy….if their trying to create a thoughtful funny satire, well, their horrible at it…this was not funny….its kind of like making fun of 9/11 victims and showing them running away from planes…this would not be acceptable in the west….these so called comedians simply have BAD TASTE in comedy

    it is mocking sikh genocide and the muslim genocide in Gujarat because those politicians and government officials who were responsible are still not in jail, they’ve never been arrested and enjoy freedom, they don’t have to run from murderers or the police, who should be arresting them or the law, which should be prosecuting them….they are FREE men

  8. Its very shameful, disgraceful the anker who so ever with soapy face, is unsure about his mother….may be he actually belongs to his neighbors…. ! He has made a team and what can eb expected from such a coward person…..
    This programme and channel need to remove this and must be punished.
    Fauja Singh is proud Sikh and We all are proud to him, we salute to Britsh media and Committee who selected him for Olympics.

  9. This person Raghvan is a jerk and needs to be questioned for this disgusting comedy.We lost families and he is taking as a light joke.I never knew that this sort of tragedy is treated by this mentally retarded Raghvan as comedy.

    We all need to start campaign against him and complaint to Broadcasting ministry of India.

    http://pgportal.gov.in/

    The panthic bodies need to act and take signatures of people and start sending letters to Ministers/MLAS/Indian Newspapers to complain.

  10. I am a sikh. All I can say to trash like this that one doesn’t have to go into such dark topics like 1984 & 9/11 to generate comical content. They were the dark stains on human history. For GOD’s sake people were killed brutally there. So Mr. Sumeet if you cant respect a religion atleast find somethig in you that can respect human life

  11. Im A Muslim and all things aside in our culture generally regardless of faith we respect our elders……mocking an old man ( BAZURG ) is disgusting especially one that has done us all so proud at this age by becoming an olympian torch bearer !!! he made us British Asians PROUD …. ITS TRULY TASTELESS!!! and not funny but generally Pathetic ………………

    To top it all they decide to defend themselves !!!

  12. The way it is presented is not correct. 1984 riots is a very sensitive issue for sikhs. I wonder if this hosts family member would have killed like that he would have done the same mockery. He should do his home work before making any comment on anyone. He should have mocked Jagdish Tytler or Sajjan Kumar. Not good to play with sentiments of people who have already suffered a lot and didn’t get justice.
    On top of all he has no reason to make his opinion about Bhai Fauja Singh. Because Bhai Fauja Singh is not a political personality. He always do good to people unlike politicians.

  13. This is not surprising, I watched a history channel documentary on Indias
    Treatment of sikhs ie killing the men and boys, and raping the women. Shocking.

    • This particular episode is really in bad taste. This is a ghastly attack on the character of the Sikhs. This guy appears to be a psycopath who had some kind of inferiority complex. He is so paranoid that can’t think straight. He should not be allowed to get away with this deed under the garb of freedom of press. Such venomous attack should not be allowed against any individual or a group of people. He can’t stand the polpularity of Fauja Singh, who has single handedly created history. It is about time that we do something to silence
      these bigots.

    • if you dont know about sikhs dont comment. look back into india’s history. if there were no sikhs, today all indian would have been muslim.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here