The Australian High Commission has expressed “concern” at media reports of an Australian citizen “being threatened with violence and detained by police because of a tattoo.”
A press statement issued on Monday by the public relations section of the High Commission in New Delhi said citizens travelling abroad were advised to research and respect local customs.
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Matthew Gordon, 21, from Melbourne, was allegedly forced to write out a letter of apology by the Ashok Nagar police on Saturday afternoon stating that he had hurt the religious sentiments of Hindus. This was after a group allegedly “threatened to skin the tattoo of goddess Yellamma he had sported on his left shin.”
Mr. Gordon told The Hindu that he had telephoned authorities at the Australian High Commission in New Delhi on Saturday evening and narrated his ordeal. He and his girlfriend, Emily, were taken to the police station and let off after Mr. Gordon submitted a written apology. The Australian Consulate-General’s office in Chennai contacted the Bengaluru police for details. The Consulate-General in Chennai is in touch with the couple and the local authorities, the release said.
The couple left the city on Monday evening, fearing for their safety, according to their friends. They were scheduled to tour India till mid-February. While they were in touch with journalists on Sunday, they switched off their phones and remained unreachable from Monday afternoon.
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Internal probe
The Police Department on Monday ordered an internal probe into the incident.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central) Sandeep Patil said the city police had taken the issue seriously and the ACP (Seshadripuram) would lead a probe.
“The inquiry will look into the alleged misconduct on the part of police officers, who handled the case, including taking the apology letter,” he said.