A news channel in Argentina has faced a backlash after displaying an image of Apu from The Simpsons as the Indian Prime Minister arrived in Buenos Aires.
Cronica TV also used the headline “Apu arrives” as India PM Narendra Modi’s plane touched down for the G20 summit.
The portrayal of Apu in the Simpsons has been at the centre of a fierce debate in recent months over accusations of racial stereotyping. Apu Nahasapeemapetilon has been part of the animation series since 1990 and is played by Hank Azaria, a white actor who puts on a heavy Indian accent.
Indian-American comic Hari Kondabolu, who made a documentary about the character in 2017 called The Problem of Apu, tweeted a screengrab of the Cronica TV images with the caption: “This couldn’t be true, right?”
Another critic said: “This is unacceptable. He is our PM and must be respected dais like other dignitaries.”
Patrick Gillespie, a reporter in Argentina, tweeted: “Argentine TV outlet Cronica TV displays this racist image with the headline ‘Apu Arrives’ as India Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives in Buenos Aires for the G20.”
