Ganeshing of teeth: New lamb advertisement slammed by Hindu Australians

A DINNER party featuring every deity from Jesus to Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard is the subject of a new lamb advertisement that has sparked an ungodly protest.

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A DINNER party featuring every deity from Jesus to Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard is the subject of a new lamb advertisement that has sparked an ungodly protest.

For once, it is not the depiction of an Islamic figure that is causing uproar — strangely Allah appears to be the only god missing from the table. It is the portrayal of elephant-headed Hindu god Ganesha that has left Australia’s Indian community up in arms.

The blasphemous portrayal of revered Hindu god Ganesha by Meat and Livestock Australia to promote spring lamb sales has outraged Australia’s Indian community. Picture: Meat and Livestock Australia

Buddha also sits down to dine in the contentious lamb ad. Picture: Meat and Livestock Australia

Jesus sits alongside Ganesha in the latest lamb ad. Picture: Meat and Livestock Australia

A wine-guzzling Jesus is shown cracking jokes alongside Thor and Zeus, who cheekily asks why Islamic prophet Mohammed never showed up to the barbecue.

But the depiction of Ganesha tucking into a roast before raising a glass to the words “to lamb, the meat we can all eat” has sparked a backlash because the Hindu god does not eat meat.

Religious leaders have called for the Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) clip to be banned. Indian Society of Western Australia’s Ram Bansal said: “(We) strongly condemn (it) as hurtful, insensitive and misleading’’.

“It is painful to see Ganeshji being portrayed as a meat eater, wine drinker and in search for a new marketing strategy for himself.

Another still from the controversial lamb advert that’s causing an unholy row. Picture: Meat and Livestock Australia

“(We) strongly condemns the advertisement as hurtful, insensitive, misleading and a cheap attempt to gain commercial advantage by mocking at religious sentiments of millions of Indians.”

Australian Federation of Islamic Councils spokesman Ali Kadri said the ad had “crossed a line” and needed to be pulled.

“It completely missed the mark and was very insensitive to all religious people,” he said.

“I understand there is freedom of speech but this ad does not serve to create a discussion — it was just made to be controversial and sell lamb.

The elephant-headed Hindu god Ganesha featured in the lamb ad. Picture: Meat and Livestock Australia

“All they are doing is mocking every religion in the country and I think it should be taken down.

“I had no problems with last year’s ad which brought together different cultures but I have no idea why they thought it would be all right to bring religions into it.”

However, lamb lobbyist Sam Kekovich — who produced last year’s controversial Australia Day ad — said pulling the ad would deride “our larrikin spirit” and labelled the outrage “stupidity”.

MLA spokesman Andrew Howie said the ad was the result of “extensive research and consultation”.

“Our intent is never to offend, but rather acknowledge that lamb is a meat consumed by a wide variety of cultures and capture how the world could look if people left their differing views at the door and came to the table with open arms, and minds,” he said.

“No matter your beliefs, background or persuasion, the one thing we can all come together and unite over, is lamb.”