Matthew Gordon's tattoo of the Hindu goddess Yellamma sparked an uproar outside a restaurant in the southern Indian city of Bangalore while on holiday recently.
Matthew and his girlfriend Emily claim they were surrounded by members of the ruling Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party, and said some threatened to skin his leg to remove the tattoo.
But Party leader R V Ramesh had a different version of events, and told reporters the couple remained defiant.
"They did not listen to what we said and instead abused us with English expletives. So, after that we called the police," he said.
Member of Australia's Indian community understand the uproar it has caused.
"A huge population in India worships god Yellamma. So if someone is wearing such a respected goddess on someone's leg, this creates an issue," said Vasan Srinivasan from the Confederation of Indian Australian Associations.
tattoo of the Hindu goddess Yellamma sparked an uproar outside a restaurant in the southern Indian city of Bangalore. (File)
And other Australian Indians say it's a good reminder for travellers.
"You have to respect the social values and culture and also their religious feeling. Some people can get offended with that," said Arvind Shrivastava from the Sankat Mochan Hindu Temple.
Matthew and Emily were taken to the local police station, where Matthew claims officers blamed him for insulting Hindus.
He has since taken to social media to explain that he was forced to write an apology before they let him go.
"I am very sorry for offending Hindu religious beliefs by my tattoo. I did not know of this auspicious custom in regard to tattoo placement. I will make sure to cover it up whilst I am in India."
Indian police say the matter is being investigated.
"As alleged by the foreign national, if there was any kind of abuse and harassment by the crowd as well as the local police, definitely the Bengaluru police will take the matter very seriously," said Sandeep Patil, Deputy Police Commissioner of Bengaluru City.
