You have to remember too, that cultural sensitivity is a two-way street. 'Bastard' in ocker parlance is little more than a throwaway term in the Australian context, and not uncommon between friends (of all people). It's never considered anything more than a mild profanity by any level of society in Australia, and frequently not even that. Therefore, it's entirely plausible that Hogg did not mean 'bastard' as a barb at Bhajji's lineage but as a force of habit, however ill-advised. So for all the insulting connotation it carries in the Indian context, one would do well to keep in mind that in Australia it carries a relatively benign meaning, and most probably wasn't meant in the way it was taken. In fact, I'd be floored if Hogg had any idea about the bearing his words are being dressed up to have by people in this thread. It's worth registering by Indians of the trivial nature of 'bastard' in Australia and its frequency as a throwaway expletive.
Harbhajan, conversely, knew precisely what would rile Symonds. There's no denying he had countless media and societal exposure - at home, no less - to the fact that Symonds was being likened to a monkey, and that he would take exception to it. He knew the consequences of what was being said without having to read into the etymological meanings and cultural significance of it (which is what's being demanded of Hogg here, if I may speak bluntly).
I'm not trying to incriminate Harbhajan or extenuate Hogg. I'm just stating it's frankly absurd to state the nature of the cases are similar. Equally, a cultural misunderstanding must come from both sides for it to hold offence to either.
