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In a video advertisement released by MLA recently, Lord Ganesha along with other religious figures is found to be ‘toasting lamb’.
Updated : Oct 11, 2017, 05:29 PM IST
India has lodged an official diplomatic complaint with Australia about a recent offensive advertisement, which features Lord Ganesha and other divinities promoting Australian lamb meat.
The Indian high commission in Canberra claimed that the advertisement was "offensive" and hurt the religious sentiments of the Indian community. "The consulate general of India in Sydney has taken up the matter directly with Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) and urged them to withdraw the advertisement," the high commission said in a statement.
"A number of community associations have also registered their protest with (the) government of Australia and Meat and Livestock Australia."
The advertisement was released on Monday by the Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA), triggering protests from the Indian
community in the country.
Hurting religious sentiments
In a video advertisement released by MLA recently, Lord Ganesha along with other religious figures is found to be ‘toasting lamb,’ which the Indian community considers to be offensive and hurting their religious sentiments.
The Consulate-General of India in Sydney has taken up the matter directly with MLA and urged them to withdraw the
advertisement, it said.
A number of Community Associations have also registered their protest with Government of Australia and MLA.
Even Lord Buddha there
MLA’s latest campaign for lamb features a number of religious figures including Jesus, Buddha, Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard and Greek Goddess Aphrodite sitting around a lamb lunch.
The advertisement has led to protests by Hindu organisations and Indian community in Australia who have demanded to take it off air. Hindu Council of Australia called on MLA to voluntarily take the advertisement off air.
“We strongly urge MLA to withdraw the offensive advertisement immediately and extend an unconditional apology to not only the Hindu-Australian community but to members of all religious groups that are hurt by this nonsensical advertisement,” the Hindu Council of Australia said in a statement.
(With PTI inputs)