Overview
- The Syro-Malabar Church and the Kerala Latin Catholic Association said the painting misrepresents the Last Supper and demanded its removal with an apology.
- Artist Tom Vattakuzhy said the work, shown in the Biennale’s curated Idam exhibition, was based on a play and was not intended to offend believers.
- In a communication, the Kochi Biennale Foundation described the selection as carefully curated and said taking down the piece would amount to censorship.
- Reports said the Garden Convention Centre that hosted the show was closed for two days following protests.
- The image had previously appeared in a magazine and drew similar objections, and the BJP’s Minority Morcha called for legal action over the portrayal.