Melbourne-based Karthik Arasu, who filed a complaint against the Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA's) recent lamb ad which showed religious gods, deities and prophets enjoying lamb meat, has received an apology from the MLA.
After the advertisement was banned, Mr Arasu demanded an apology to the Hindu community in Australia from the company that produced the advertisement.
In a letter to Meat and Livestock Australia, Mr Arasu wrote, "This act is highly offensive and disrespectful to Hindu community in Australia and worldwide. The Hindu culture is an epitome of value belief system and has always been established as the carrier of spiritual insights. The portrayal of Lord Ganesha as a meat eater and promoter with chewed bones in his plate is a disgusting visual that has disturbed Hindus across the world."
"Derogatory show of my god Lord Ganesha in the name of humour has hurt me & many Hindus."
Mr. Arasu also pointed out how the Advertisement Standards Board (ASB) upheld his complaint that the Spring Lamb Advertisement 2017 featuring Lord Ganesha had breached the AANA Code of Ethics.
The advertisement has been taken down by the MLA.
On Tuesday, Mr. Arasu received an apology from MLA's Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, Lisa Sharp.
The letter said, "While the overwhelming feedback to the campaign has been positive, we acknowledge that some community members, including yourself, have registered concerns. We respect that feedback and apologise for any offence taken."
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Mr. Arasu told SBS Hindi, "This apology has provided a closure to me, personally. I wished they would apologise to the whole community but that has not happened. I am hopeful this experience and the feedback will ensure that different communities living in Australia are not taken for granted."
