Australian ad showing Lord Ganesha eating lamb irks India

The advertisement was met with anger in the Australian Indian community.

An advertisement feature Hindu God Ganesha and other religious icons endorsing lamb in an Australian advertisement has irked India.

In the TV commercial from industry group Meat and Livestock Australia, a number of religious figures -- including Lord Ganesha, Jesus, Buddha and Scientology founder L Ron Hubbard -- are seen sitting down together to a lamb-based meal and raising a glass to the meat. India has lodged an official complaint in this regard.

The advertisement was met with anger in the Australian Indian community. The Indian high commission (embassy) in Canberra said it had taken the issue up with the Australian government.

"Lord Ganesha along with other religious figures is found to be 'toasting lamb', which the Indian community consider to be offensive and hurting their religious sentiments," the commission said in a statement Saturday.

The Indian consulate in Sydney has also made a direct appeal to Meat and Livestock Australia to withdraw the commercial, according to the statement.

Oneindia News