India complains over ‘offensive’ Aussie lamb ad

SYDNEY: India has lodged an official complaint over an Australian advertisement that features the Hindu god Ganesha and other religious icons endorsing lamb.

In the TV commercial from industry group Meat and Livestock Australia, a number of religious figures – including Lord Ganesha, Jesus, Buddha and Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard – are seen sitting down to a lamb-based meal and raising a glass to the meat.

The image of elephant-headed Lord Ganesha, who is widely considered to be vegetarian, was met with anger in Australia’s Indian community.

The Indian high commission (embassy) in Canberra said it had taken the issue up with the Australian government.

“Lord Ganesha along with other religious figures is found to be ‘toasting lamb’, which the Indian community consider to be offensives,” the commission said on Saturday.

The Indian consulate in Sydney has also made a direct appeal to Meat and Livestock Australia to withdraw the commercial, according to the statement. — AFP