NJ 101.5 suspends the guests who called AG Gurbir Grewal & # 39; turban man & # 39;

The station, NJ 101.5-FM, announced the decision to reprimand Dennis Malloy and Judi Franco on its website around midnight. At that time, the hosts were at the center of a firestorm on social media and the governor had asked the station to take action against veteran radio personalities.

"We are aware of the offensive comments made by Dennis and Judi during the broadcast of today," said the channel. "We took immediate action and we removed them from the air until further notice. We are investigating the matter and will have further comments shortly."

Malloy and Franco recognized in their afternoon show that their reference to Grewal. But they dismissed this possibility and suggested that it was the fault of Grewal, the country's first Sikh Attorney General, who was designated in a manner that could be perceived as pejorative.

"Listen, and if that offends you, then do not wear the turban and maybe I'll remember your name," Malloy said.

Neither Malloy nor Franco responded to an email requesting a comment on Wednesday night.

The hosts had introduced the Attorney General because of his order earlier this week to county attorneys to postpone all cases of low-level marijuana for at least next month. This decision is interpreted as a harbinger of the seemingly inevitable legalization of recreational marijuana by Democratic Governor Phil Murphy.

million. Murphy appointed Mr. Grewal of Glen Rock early in the year to become the best law enforcement officer in the state. Prior to that, Grewal served as Bergen County Attorney under Republican Governor Chris Christie.

The son of Indian immigrants, Grewal, 45, practices the Sikh religion and, as such, wears the common turban headdress in this religion as well as among Muslims and Hindus.

When he was appointed by Murphy The next Attorney General, Grewal, whose office did not respond to an email asking for comments, spoke to his three daughters and explained that he wanted to accept the post because "as someone who has lived through hatred and intolerance during my life, I wanted to work so that we all live together and that you grow up all three in a fair and equitable society . "

In a short audio sequence of their show, Malloy and Franco refer to Grewal as" turban man "or" the "You know the Attorney General – I will never know his name – I'll just say" the guy with the turban, "says Malloy.

Franco responds" OK, "then adds in a stifled voice" turban man. "

Moments later, Malloy asks," Is that right? is very offensive? "

Franco responds:" For me? No. To people who wear turbans? "

Malloy agrees, but then explains his rationale for the use of this term:" If you call me "baseball man" and that I was in a culture where no one was wearing baseball caps, "Should I be offended?"

"No. I would say no," replies Franco.

Malloy agrees, then continues: "In any case, the Attorney General, turban man, says that he will not pursue things potted before September. "

Murphy, who prides himself on" I am outraged by the odious and xenophobic comments made today by mocking Attorney General Gurbir Grewal on "The Dennis & Judi Show & # 39; 39; on New Jersey 101.5, "Murphy said in a statement." Hate speech has no place in New Jersey, and it does not belong to our airwaves, the direction of the station must now hold the hosts responsible for these intolerant and racist comments. "

The recording of comments from radio hosts made the social media round on Wednesday night and drew the scoldings of the American Civil Liberties Union and Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla, who is also a sikh and wears a turban.