America's first Sikh-American Attorney General Gurbir Grewal has been racially targeted by two radio hosts who repeatedly called him the "turban man" on air, drawing severe criticism from politicians and netizens over their "xenophobic and racist" comments.
Dennis Malloy and Judi Franco, who host the "Dennis and Judi Show" on the radio show NJ 101.5FM, were talking about Grewal's decision to suspend marjiuana prosecutions in New Jersey when they began calling him the "turban man".
"You know the attorney general guy? 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 a sing-song tone. "If it offends you, then don't wear the turban, man, and I'll remember your name," Malloy said, as both the hosts laughed.
"But Turban Man -- is that highly offensive?"
He also posted a link to an address he gave in May at the Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies
He recalled the day he was nominated to become the 61st Attorney General of New Jersey, a commentator had asked where will Grewal "park" his "elephant."
Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla, also a Sikh-American who wears the 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."
The clip quickly garnered attention on Twitter and civil rights advocacy group ACLU of New Jersey tweeted a link with an audio pronunciation of Grewal's name, saying "Turban man? Is that offensive?' Yep. (If you have to ask...). Racism isn't cute. It's just racist."
Twitter users too slammed the racist remarks saying there is no place for such language. Amardeep Singh, ACLU NJ Board Member and co-founder of rights group Sikh Coalition tweeted "let's go after the advertisers of the show as well."
City of Hoboken's Deputy Chief of Staff Jason Freeman tweeted that racism has no place in the "New Jersey that we live in."