SLAYER New Album Banned in India by Christian Group

Mumbai-based EMI Virgin India Ltd said Friday (Oct. 6) it will recall all copies of the new Slayer album “Christ Illusion” following protests by a Christian group, Mumbai-based Catholic Secular Forum (CSF).

Early this week, Joseph Dias, general secretary of CSF, issued a statement taking “strong exception” to the album's cover artwork, which he said depicts “Christ with a missing eye and amputated arms.” He added, “we also condemn the track, 'Skeleton Christ' as the lyrics are an insult to Christianity.” The CSF also sent a memorandum to Mumbai's police commissioner, adding that the album “will affect the sensibilities of the Muslims on the track 'Jihad' and secular Indians who have respect for all faiths.”

Kaveri Khullar, marketing manager, EMI India said in an interview, “We met with the CSF and were apologetic while assuring them that all copies of the album would be pulled out. We have no plans of re-issuing it in any way.”

The “Christ Illusion” album had been on the shelves for only a week. Khullar did not confirm the number of units released only stating, “There weren't too many that we launched anyway.”

The CSF had earlier protested against the Indian release of “The Da Vinci Code” which led the Censor Board to instruct the India distributor, Mumbai-based Sony Pictures Releasing India, to include a notice to accompany the film to explain that it was a work of fiction.

By Nyay Bhushan, New Delhi