For Immediate Release
9/21/2017
The following statement was issued by Ajay Shah, Convenor, American Hindus Against Defamation and Utsav Chakrabarty, Public Relations Coordinator, World Hindu Council of America (VHPA)
AHAD Adds Global Hindu Voice to Protest Against Crass Australian Meat and Livestock Advertisement Depicting Lord Ganesha
American Hindus Against Defamation (AHAD), the most prominent Hindu organization against Hindu defamation joins the Vishwa Hindu Parishad of Australia’s protest against Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) advertisement depicting beloved Hindu God Shree Ganesha for promotion of lamb meat (https://youtu.be/f8kuoFGgj8s). The commercial further insults Lord Ganesha eating lamb meat, as “the elephant in the room.” Additionally, dharmic saints wearing saffron are shown eating lamb meat.
Ganesha, holds a special place in the hearts of Hindus around the world. Lord Ganesha is also revered by other dharmic traditions around the world, including Jains Sikhs, and Buddhists. Buddhists, worship Lord Ganesha as the Buddhist God Vinayaka throughout Asia, including China and Japan. In fact, many Buddhist traditions believe that Buddha himself was an avatar of Ganesha.
Ajay Shah, the Convenor of AHAD said, “To use the symbol of nonviolent faiths to promote a product that that represents the ultimate violence against innocent animals is abhorrent. It is ironic that, Lord Ganesha is used to promote meat, whereas, millions of Hindus celebrate the festival attributed to Lord Ganesha, by fasting and abstaining from food. Today, American Hindus stand united in their opposition to MLA’s advertisement and demand that it be withdrawn immediately.“
AHAD is registering its strong protest against MLA with the Australian Advertising Standards Bureau. The Bureau has apparently judged the advertisement to be non-offensive. AHAD contends that Australian Advertising Standards Bureau has absolutely no expertise or right to judge what is offensive and non-offensive to Hindus. The Bureau should have consulted credible Hindu organizations like VHP- Australia ([email protected]) before making its determination. AHAD requests the Australian Minister for Multicultural Affairs to take note of this advertisement and take take action against its further propagation.
AHAD will also reach out to Buddhist communities across Asia and urge them to boycott Australian lamb based product until AMC withdraws its advertisement depicting Lord Ganesha and saffron clad Hindu priest and tenders an apology to the Hindu community. AHAD has also launched an online protest against AMC advertisement where the global community can sign a petition and let their voice be heard.
About American Hindus Against Defamation (AHAD)
American Hindus Against Defamation (AHAD) is the first and the most prominent Hindu organization in USA. A project of World Hindu Council of America (VHPA), AHAD has been actively monitoring media and products to ensure accurate representation of Hindu dharma, culture, images and icons.
For further information, please contact:
Ajay Shah
Convener, American Hindus Against Defamation (AHAD)
http://www.hindunet.org/ahad
[email protected]
Phone: (858) 866-9661
About World Hindu Council of America (VHPA)
World Hindu Council of America (VHPA) is the most prominent organization of Hindus in USA. Founded in 1970, it has branches across the country. For more information, please contact:
Utsav Chakrabarti
Public Relations Coordinator
World Hindu Council of America (VHPA)
P.O. Box 600
460 Boston Rd, Billerica, MA 01821
http://www.vhpamerica.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vishwa.sampark
Twitter: @VHPANews