A cartoon in The Australian newspaper today has been blasted as racist and offensive after it depicted hungry Indian people in traditional clothes smashing and attempting to eat solar panels in connection to the country's efforts to combat climate change.
The cartoon by cartoonist Bill Leak appeared in the paper after the Paris climate deal was signed on the weekend.
In an interview with the Guardian newspaper Indian journalist Shoma Chaudhury, the editor of Catch News, said the cartoon displayed ‘provincial ignorance’ about India and Indian people.
“India has not only been a sophisticated negotiator on climate change, insisting ‘developed’ nations pay their dues for destroying the planet, it has also voluntarily started adopting renewables like solar energy in hundreds of villages. It has not needed to be browbeaten into climate intelligence or consciousness, unlike many developed nations.
“In truth, the bewildered farmers in Leak’s cartoon could probably teach him a thing or two about solar panels, while treating him to the indisputable pleasures of mango chutney.”
The paper declined to comment when approached for comment about the cartoon.
The cartoon was widely criticised on social media after it was published.
