An Australian visiting India was allegedly harassed and forced to write an apology by an unruly mob in Indian city of Bengaluru over the tattoo of a Hindu goddess on his shin, Times of India reported on Monday.
The visitor Matt Keith claimed that he and his friend Emily were abused and harassed by a mob outside a restaurant on Residency Road on Saturday for having a tattoo of a goddess, Yellamma on his shin.
As reports of mob chasing the visitors reached the nearby police station, the police reached the spot and took the duo to Ashoknagar police station.
Keith alleged that the mob and police forced him to write a letter apologising for ‘offending Hindu religious beliefs’ by his tattoo.
The letter, addressed to the sub-inspector of Ashok Nagar police station, read: “My name is Matthew visiting from Melbourne, Australia. I am very sorry for offending Hindu religious beliefs by my tattoo. I didn’t know of this auspicious custom in regard to tattoo placement. I will make sure to cover it up until I am in India. Thanking you for educating me on what is appropriate. I am also extremely sorry for using inappropriate language.”
However, both the sub-inspector and inspector of Ashoknagar police station had denied the incident.