Representatives of Indian community today apprised the NSW Government of the anger, frustration and the spiritual and emotional hurt and isolation being felt by the Indian diaspora after the controversial 'lamb ad' was shared across the internet by Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA).
Indian community leader Yadu Singh organised this meeting with the Minister for Multiculturalism, Ray Williams and Chair of Multicultural NSW, Dr Harry Harinath.
Gurdeep Singh, President of Association of Indian Australians in NSW (INDAUS Inc) was also present during this meeting. He told SBS Punjabi that they have urged the Minister to act urgently on this matter.
“We have demanded that the MLA ad be withdrawn from circulation forthwith and an inquiry into the advertising standards be held so that checks and balances that already exist, and seem to be inadequate, may be ramped up,” said Mr Singh.
“The Honourable Minister appeared sympathetic to the concerns raised at this meeting and agreed to write letters and speak with his Federal counterparts and also the MLA on a priority basis and advised to remain calm.
“The Minister also promised that he and the Multicultural NSW will do their best and provide feedback to the community within 48 hours, i.e., Wednesday the 13th September.
While many community organisations and the representatives of the Indian Australians have voiced their concern but the MLA is continuing to display the ad in various forms of media.
'It is not funny. The ad is made with total disregard to the sensitivities of Indian Diaspora' Gurdeep Singh Source: Supplied
Gurdeep Singh,who is also the Ex Deputy Mayor and Councillor, Hornsby Shire Council in NSW, told SBS Punjabi that the community is not pleased with MLA’s response in this matter.
“The MLA’s position is that they have consulted some ‘experts’ on this issue who don’t see this ad as being offensive. This is not the view shared by a significantly large majority of the Indian Diaspora in Sydney. Actually, it is quite the opposite,” he said.
“It is rather shameful that the MLA brought out its latest lamb meat advertisement in a most insensitive and offensive format causing disrespect to the religious Prophets and Deities of not only the Indians but of many other mainstream religions.
“The only saving grace is that Prophet Mohammad was excluded from the animated likenesses of the Deities and Prophets.
“The advertisement is a disgrace to the Australian way of life, the melting pot of multiculturalism that Sydney and indeed all Australia is.
“The ad is made with total disregard to the sensitivities of a significant section of the Australians, the Indian Australians, who are generally law abiding, peaceful and happy people.
“This segment of our Australian community who chose to call Australia home have contributed to an unprecedented, long period of economic growth through their ethical qualities as described.
“It is believed that the Federal Government provides subsidies to the MLA to carry out their business of livestock and meat exports.
“The feeling amongst the Indian Diaspora is that their own tax dollar is in some way being used by the MLA to create insensitive, offensive and un-Australian ads.
“INDAUS and indeed most of the Indian Diaspora would not object to the promotion of non-vegetarianism as we feel that eating and food habits are personal choice and, ours being a great democracy, everyone should have the ability to choose and promote meat eating habits.
“It is the attempt to involve Godly figures and their animated likenesses in order to promote a business that is causing the hurt and the anger.
“There has been a great deal of anger in the Indian Diaspora at Lord Ganesh Ji’s likeness in the video, speaking in thick Indian accented English and obviously sharing dinner serves of lamb meat thus promoting non vegetarianism," said Mr Singh.
This is not the first time the MLA’s ad has created controversy. In 2016, Australia’s Advertising Standards Bureau received over 50 complaints in less than a day after it released an ad that appeared to promote violence towards vegans.
