The African National Congress (ANC) in KwaZulu-Natal has pledged solidarity with the South African Hindu MahaSabha, the South African Hindu Dharma Sabha, the South Africa Tamil Federation and all Hindus and other South Africans who found Zapiro’s Ganesha cartoon offensive and in poor taste.
“It is very unfortunate that the discord between the Board of Control for Cricket in India and Cricket SA chief executive Haroon Haroon Lorgat, a matter deserving of legitimate public comment and debate, has been so offensively handled that the focus of the main issue has been lost,” the party said in a statement.
“The ANC strongly believes that Jonathan Shapiro’s arrogant response aggravates the general feeling of insult.
“When called to apologise, Shapiro said: ‘I don’t want to come across as brutal. But if pushed, I will, so I don’t think I will apologise.’”
The statement said the ANC is proud of South Africa’s Constitution which enshrines freedom of speech, “but the right to say and do something does not make it right.
Rights must come with responsibilities”.
They have called on Shapiro and the Sunday Times to apologise to South Africans for the “insensitive, offensive and distasteful” cartoon.
“The ANC believes in a united and non-racial society which respects cultural diversity and religious beliefs,” it said.
The Star reported that the organisations described the cartoon as a "flagrant disrespect and denigration of our glorious Hindu faith".
The cartoon, carried on Shapiro's website on Sunday and in the Sunday Times, shows Lord Ganesha holding a cricket bat and money, while Cricket SA (CSA) CEO Haroon Lorgat, tied up on an altar, is about to be stabbed as a sacrifice to him by two CSA officials.
The cartoon refers to the CSA agreeing to suspend Lorgat for the duration of India's tour to South Africa after its hand was apparently forced by the Board of Control for Cricket in India.
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