U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has apologized to an Indian American professor after asking him before a room full of people if he was a member of the Taliban, reports the Business Standard.
The remark intended as a joke took place at the University of Nebraska early last week.
Robert Gandhi was about to stand up at the event to ask a question when Hagel interrupted and asked, “”you are not a member of the Taliban, are you?”
A spokesman for the Pentagon would later describe the remark as a “lame attempt” at humor not “directed at anyone in particular, including the professor.”
Hagel personally called Gandhi to apologize.
“He (Hagel) expressed regret for any trouble this caused the professor,” Â George Little, Pentagon Press Secretary said.
You can read Gandhi’s reaction to the whole incident in the Business Standard.
From @AAModelMinority via Twitter: RE: Chuck Hagel Taliban Joke: "it's always … Racist … Offend …then a joke .. Am sorry.. Don't be offend .. It was a joke"