You won’t be watching Lord Ganesha savouring Lamb anymore.
The Meat and Livestock Corporation’s (MLA) advertisement where religious gods, deities and prophets were shown enjoying lamb meat has been banned.
The advertisement by MLA which received over 200 complaints, including one from the High Commission of India to Australia, has been taken down from their official YouTube account and it won’t be broadcast anymore.
The Advertising Standards Bureau (ASB), which originally sided with the view of the MLA, did a U-turn after an independent review ruled the ad is discriminatory to those of Hindu faith.
An independent review by the ASB found the original ruling was an “error” and cited "substantial flaws" with the initial decision.
The review found Meat and Livestock Australia gave “inadequate consideration to how seriously some Australians take their religious views”.
The advertisement attracted a huge backlash among the Hindu community living in Australia.
Hindu deity Ganesha in the video ad released by Meat and Livestock Australia. Source: Youtube We love our lamb
Melbourne-based Kartik Arasu, one of the petitioners who filed for an independent review after ASB dismissed the complaints says the ASB's U-turn is a ‘major victory for the Hindu community.’
“It is a major victory for the Hindu community. Initially they rejected all our complaints. I am glad they have banned the ad.”
"The decision reinforces the belief that no one can denigrate a community in Australia on the basis of religion, colour or the size of the community! This is a victory for the entire community and it is because of the united fight & efforts of the entire community," he told SBS Hindi.
He has now written to the Chair of Board of Meat and Livestock Australia, Dr. Michele Allan demanding an apology.
Secretary of the Sri Durga Temple in Melbourne, Hari Julka says this ban will serve as precedence for other advertisers.
“I am glad that finally our displeasure has been acknowledged. This took a lot of time. But I am glad the community raised a united voice. I believe this will serve as precedence to other advertisers, he told SBS Hindi.
The MLA “respectfully disagrees” with the ban but has acknowledged the new ruling. The YouTube video is not available anymore.
“The advertisement was conceived and intended to promote religious inclusiveness in a light hearted and humorous manner,” the MLA said in a statement.
The MLA “respectfully disagrees” with the ban but has acknowledged the new ruling. The YouTube video is not available anymore. Source: MLa
“Most critically, it was never the intention of MLA to discriminate against or vilify any religious group. “We confirm that the advertisement is no longer being broadcast.”
