It was just a repeat dismissal of serious cultural harm. These issues were thoroughly outlined to the concerned four years ago. DNO&B should stop celebrating and profiting from historical prejudice; Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, stated.

Rajan Zed indicated that this deeply problematic ballet was just a blatant belittling of a rich civilization and exhibited 19th-century orientalist attitudes. He also urged DNO&B to apologize for such an inappropriate selection and repeat it again despite knowing about the objection of the Hindus in the first instance.

Norwegian National Ballet, which claims to be “Norway's classically based ballet company”, should have shown some maturity before selecting and then re-exhibiting a ballet like “La Bayadère” (The Temple Dancer), displaying disrespectful Western caricaturing of Eastern heritage and abetting ethnic stereotyping; Zed noted.

It was highly irresponsible for DNO&B, whose "Towards 2030" statement on its website claims— “…we offer a place where people can find peace…inclusive community…we strengthen both individuals and our society…we create impact…we build community…”; to repeatedly choose such a ballet which had been blamed for patronizing flawed mishmash of orientalist stereotypes, dehumanizing cultural portrayal and misrepresentation, offensive and degrading elements, needless appropriation of cultural motifs, essentialism, shallow exoticism, caricaturing, etc. DNO&B could do better than this to serve its diverse stakeholders; Rajan Zed pointed out.

Zed also urged Norwegian Minister of Culture and Equality Lubna Jaffery; who “is responsible for cultural policy, equality- and discrimination policy”; to seriously look into this issue of cultural stereotyping by DNO&B, whose board is appointed by the Norwegian Ministry of Culture.

The Norwegian Ministry of Culture and Equality should also take its areas of responsibility—culture, equality and discrimination—more seriously, and have a better understanding of the feelings of “others” to do the job more effectively. Is not the issue of cultural stereotyping in “La Bayadère” visible to the Ministry? Rajan Zed asked.

If our pleas are not heard, we plan to appeal to Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre; as it is simply unfair, unethical and inappropriate to spend taxpayer’s money on repeatedly caricaturing “other” cultures; Zed says, and adds that hard-working Hindus have contributed a lot to the prosperity of Norway and continue to do so.

Moreover; DNO&B collaborators; like Norsk Tipping, OBOS, DNB; should rethink about their relationship with it if it continued with ballets like “La Bayadère”, which trivialized traditions of “others”; Rajan Zed added.

Zed suggested DNO&B CEO Geir Bergkastet, Board Chairperson Sarah Willand, Ballet Artistic Director Ingrid Lorentzen to re-evaluate its systems and procedures and send its executives for cultural sensitivity training so that such an inappropriate stuff did not repeatedly slip through in the future.

Description of three-hours long “La Bayadère” on DNO&B website includes: “the work also contains elements that are difficult to identify with or endorse. For that reason, many ballet houses are now questioning whether this and other classics still have a rightful place in their repertoires."

During the 2022 protest, DNO&B Communications Director Kenneth Fredstie admitted in the email to Rajan Zed, who spearheaded the protest, that “La Bayadère” features “fascination with, but also ignorance of, other cultures”.

We fully support “artistic freedom”, but not when it distorts and trivializes our communities. “Artistic freedom” is not a license for repeatedly distorting and trivializing “other” communities and hurting their feelings; when there are so many ballets to choose from. When traditions are portrayed inappropriately and misrepresented, it can perpetuate misunderstanding and can be painful for communities. DNO&B is out of alignment with contemporary standards of cultural respect and artistic accountability, Zed said.

Like many others, Hindus also consider ballet as one of the revered art forms which offers richness and depth. But we are well into the 21st century now, and outdated “La Bayadère”, which was first presented in St. Petersburg (Russia) in 1877, is long overdue for permanent retirement from the world stage; Rajan Zed points out.