‘Outdated but not offensive’ | Council of Indian Australians reacts to axing of Apu from The Simpsons
The Council of Indian Australians has responded to reports Simpsons character Apu Nahasapeemapetilon will be axed from the show following racial backlash.
It’s reported the Kwik-E-Mart owner will be written out of the show, following controversy surrounding his character in recent months.
President of the Council of Indian Australians, Mohit Kumar, said he was not offended by Apu’s character.
“Absolutely not,” he said.
“What I would like to say is he is outdated.
“He is a very loved character. He came in 1990, 28 years ago. From the Indian community’s perspective, globally it would have been really good because a big American sitcom, that was very popular, (and it) included an Indian character.
“But 28 years having the same accent and really thick Indian accent is not representation of what Indians are in the US or in parts of the world.”
He said accents naturally change over time.
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