'Romney's holiday home' joke enrages Sikh community

The Golden Temple of Amritsar is the holiest Sikh shrine (EPA)

India has condemned a joke made by US television host Jay Leno in which he said that the holiest Sikh shrine, the Golden Temple of Amritsar, was the holiday home of wealthy Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney.

In the sketch on The Tonight Show the temple was shown in a gag about Mr Romney's privileged background. Many Sikhs are angry that the ornate Sikh shrine, located in the North Western Indian city of Amritsar, was portrayed as a place for the rich.

The Indian Overseas Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi, said: "It is quite unfortunate and quite objectionable that such a comment has been made after showing the Golden Temple."