New Zealand says sorry over Dikshit slur (Second Lead)

Indo-ASIAN NEWS SERVICE

NEW DELHI - New Zealand\’s envoy expressed \”deep regret over the hurt\” caused to Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit over a rude remark by a Kiwi television anchor which New Delhi dubbed racist.

Rupert Holborow offered the apologies to Lata Reddy, Secretary (East) in the external affairs ministry, after the Indian government summoned him to voice its disgust over the television comment.

Earlier this week, New Zealand TV anchor Paul Henry made fun of Dikshit\’s name, telling viewers how it should be pronounced. He also made derogatory remarks about Indians.

A furious Indian government asked New Zealand to take immediate \”demonstrative action\” against the journalist. A strong demarche was issued to the New Zealand envoy.

\”It was conveyed to him (envoy) that (India) strongly and unequivocally denounces the racist remarks of the journalist in question,\” a statement from the ministry said.

\”It is shocking that such bigoted views have been aired by representative of a mainstream media organisation of a multi-ethnic democracy like New Zealand.

\”These remarks are totally unacceptable to India and should be condemned by all right thinking people and nations,\” it added.

Dikshit kept her cool, though, saying while the remarks against her \”were not appropriate\”, they made no difference to her.

The statement said the envoy had conveyed his \”deep regret for the hurt caused by the comments of the media commentator which he characterised as culturally insensitive, inappropriate and vulgar and certainly not the views of the government of New Zealand.\”

Holborow said: \”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 similar earlier comments), and certainly not the New Zealand government or people\”.

\”As high commissioner, I always look forward to celebrating the warm and positive links between our two countries and there is never a case for making remarks of this nature which are hurtful.

\”New Zealand highly values its relationship with India and we pride ourselves on being a welcoming, tolerant and inclusive society.\”

He added there were currently over 100,000 New Zealanders of Indian ethnic origin or almost three percent of the population. This is the second largest immigrant group from Asia after China. \”They play a leading role in our nation, together with other communities.\”

The envoy also paid tributes to Dikshit for her \”vital contribution to the Commonwealth Games\” in New Delhi that will conclude Oct 14.